Now they sit
Once upon a time the land was ruled
By a bunch of robber barons
Who took what they wanted by force –
A squalid set of felons.
With brutality, cruelty and murder
They terrified every woman, child and man
Built their castles and seized the land.
With sword and dagger they plundered
In an orgy of greed – a despicable band.
The tyrants and thieves terrorised
Taking the best for their own use.
Requisitioning land and taxing the poor,
Dealing out violence and abuse.
Gradually the majority exerted their power
And civilisation was brought into play.
But those Robber Barons still sat on the wealth
They had squirrelled away.
Using their money and through use of their power
They control us until this day.
A selfish elite of greedy exploiters
Who believe they deserve what comes their way.
Once they were slavers and factory bosses,
Keeping down pay
And never counting their losses.
Once they ran the empire
To extract all its wealth,
Creating wars and division
And ruling by stealth.
People believe they are a thing of the past
Long consigned to history,
But they still exist on the spoils of their crimes.
It’s no mystery.
Once they led the bestial hordes.
Now they sit in the House of Lords.
Opher – 17.6.2020
Down through the centuries the robber barons have ruled. Nothing changes. Their dynasties extend back into the days when they rampaged and slaughtered at will.
Now their ways are more subtle. They use privilege and wealth, corruption and connections, to ensure they have luxury.
They are still exploiting.