Stefan Splawinski

disciples of john barleycorn
appreciators of malt and hop
consume a yard or more of ale
then i challenge you to stop
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living in a bright caravan
gipsy family of old stock
shawled women selling pegs
carved from a wooden block
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agent for the worlds endeavours
london cavity of wealth creation
in shadow of threadneedle street
testimony to a commercial nation
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leafy suburb near sacred turf
turtles aplenty in local lake
gentrified homes in old style
crafty developers on the make
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dry and flat west indian isle
dutch chocolate box town clock
famous swinging harbour bridge
with large oil industry dock
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are we responsible for all ills
of a shruken world at our feet
famine and mayhem have expanded
expectations are hard to meet
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mantras of mere hate
debasement of thought
words without meaning
things you were taught
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materialisms final flourish
living on those past gains
capitalism without capital
brawn giving way to brains
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sound of a far away rhythm
humankind reverts to form
echo of a distant tribalism
contrary to the usual norm
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twilight of the evil empires
marx vanished without trace
festival of the beancounters
world reduced to marketplace
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what is the states purpose
if its populace are displaced
now tax gatherers in uniform
have policemen long replaced
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tightly packed to preserve comfort
myopic creatures of a social type
ever so equal in oil as in value
moved from the shelf by media hype
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myth of the modern rise of man
nothing progress shall impede
we can improve all with time
superstition and gods recede
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we need to live for peace
everlasting welfare state
cradled in happy comfort
global hunger will abate
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low common denominator
creates inclusive ways
the mediocre enshrined
to reinvent former days
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entertainment replaces information
news bulletins very skilfully made
old grannies falling down the stairs
and all disaster action replayed
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media time is very essential
money into pockets inserted
pressure group opinion made
men bought justice perverted
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all entry to our favoured band
only members through the door
restricted to the chosen few
for the rich and not the poor
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ever since the wakening of man
the forces of darkness display
strong powers that create evil
so that light won't hold sway
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go sell your soul to the highest
bidder of much material wealth
who can grease your eager palm
and improve your fiscal health
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