A 26 line extended sonnet!
Our commandant uses the first three rules
To make it plain that it’s a unique boss.
Forget those other gods, they’re foolish ghouls;
Vainly say my name? That brings down chaos!
Omnipotence aside, god needs its rest
Six days it labored on this universe.
It huffed, it puffed—no wonder it’s obsessed—
Demanding one day’s rest, all labor cursed.
Done with itself, it turned to other things
“Honor thy father and thy mother”—fine!
But what if they abuse and rape offspring?
We honor them despite such heinous crimes?
Next comes “thou shalt not kill.” That sounds humane.
And yet, before they even knew they’d sinned
By dancing round that golden calf, insane
Punishment ensued—three thousand stabbed, killed!
Graven images—damned—but what about
Thou shalt not kill—a principle set down
In that Testament replete with wipe outs—
Fierce holocausts produced by Yahweh’s frown.
Seven, eight, and nine justly ban distress
We shouldn’t cheat on wives, or steal, or lie.
But we must covet beauty and success
Earned by neighbors—how else escape our sty?
Forbid desire—essence of life’s rhythm—
And thus destroy our capitalism?
(10/26/12)