I
After all creeds since reason first began,
Though it seems odd,
I’m still uncertain whether God made man
Or man made God.
II
When someone invented the rope
It wasn’t so long till some other
Improved its use by inventing the noose,
And we started to hang one another.
III
Appearance is the world’s test.
Brother, you’re treated as you’re dressed.
IV
‘Man born of woman is a mess.
Adam alone was perfect man.’
‘Aw, I don’t know,’ piped little Joe,
‘He had no belly-button, Gran.’
V
Of all the ways to waste our days
Whose lives are short at best,
Listening to piano solos
Is one of the dreariest.
VI
‘Prate not of God whom none has seen,
Poor dupe as credulous as blind.’
Wiseacre who must see to know,
You’ve never seen your own behind.
VII
Man’s endless quest is to be happy,
Ever since Cain wet his first nappy;
Yet crime-waves now and A-bomb plans,
And Yanks turned Schickelgruber fans.
VIII
If Christ returned today among us, he
Once more would meet cold eye of Sadducee,
Security Boys would whisper and insist,
McCarthyites would chorus ‘Communist!’
IX
Don’t say Sir Boodle Blimp ignores the arts.
For golf his culture is both deep and strong;
Financial columns are his poetry;
His favourite music is the dinner gong.
X
All our lives my brothers, we
Have fought for a just equality.
Patience! At last it will be found:
We are all equal under the ground.
