From the May 1975 issue of the Socialist Standard
When POVERTY and FORTUNE met
To discuss their various plans
Said FORTUNE: “I’ve smiled upon the rich
And with them shaken hands.
To them I’ve whispered POVERTY
Will help us to exploit
The poor and dejected
And to their hopes put flight”.
Said POVERTY: “My worthy friend,
I knew you wouldn’t falter
At the throne of riches bending knee,
Ignoring poor man’s altar.
’Tis on its slab their hopes will die
Ambitious souls will perish.
All their dreams we’ll sacrifice
The dream that they most cherish.
For their freedom is but a symbol,
And for all their vain endeavour,
The poor will still be rich man’s slave
The chains they’ll never sever.”
Said FORTUNE: ‘You’re my dearest friend,
And constant too, I’m sure.”
So FORTUNE smiled upon the rich
While POVERTY cursed the poor.
When SOCIALISM heard of this
He thus addressed the poor:
“I cannot cure all life’s ills
But I can make them by far fewer.
So it’s I and UNDERSTANDING
Workers must set their aim
And hope for a better future
Will burn with a brighter flame.”
John L. Preece