Class Consciousness
In the reign of King Coal and Queen cotton
Class seemed clear, the sons and daughters of toil,
Drawn to industrial towns from the soil,
Knew precisely where all the ill-gotten
Gains from their labours went. To the mansion
Up on the hill, wherein dwelt the owner
Of all gathered below him, the loner
Being driven by capital’s expansion.
That dual monarchy has abdicated,
The mansion’s now a care home. Workers pass,
Too many are convinced, as middle class,
Though capital’s craving must still be sated.
Commodity dealers remain takers
Of profit, from commodity makers.
D. A.