Banquet - An Allegory of Civilisation

Описание: MORTALITY kicked them bronze doors wide,
Cold steel sickle by her side.
Not mean, not kind — just drawin’ the line,
Said, “Every empire runs outta time.”

Shadow stretch on marble floor,
NECESSITY knockin’ at the door.
HISTORY long, don’t care what you say,
RATIONALITY talk, IRRATIONALITY play.

That hall ran deep like midnight air,
BEING whisper everywhere.
SUBSTANCE hold them columns tight,
FORM set the table in candlelight.

UNITY say, “Hold it tight.”
MULTIPLICITY start the fight.
IDENTITY keep one face on,
DIFFERENCE change till truth be gone.


ETIQUETTE slid in smooth and tall,
Measured CAUSE and CONSEQUENCE down the hall.
Between RIGHT and WRONG she drew that thread,
Between DUTY and NEGLECT what’s done and said.

POWER stood where the light would fall,
Didn’t have to shout at all.
LEGITIMACY speak real slow,
TYRANNY smile — “You already know.”

VIRTUE and VICE hip to hip,
Red silk wine on marble lip.
JUSTICE deal what INJUSTICE owe,
MERCY cool WRATH below.

GOOD look over at EVIL’s grin,
Both of ’em born as twins.


DETERMINISM hold locked-up clock,
FREEDOM lean on balcony rock.
FREEDOM-TO say, “Let me try.”
FREEDOM-FROM say, “Cut that tie.”

SLAVERY wait behind a chair,
Been in the room since first prayer.
FUTURE stand veiled in blue,
FUTURE CONTINGENT won’t tell you.

CLARITY hold steady flame,
CONFUSION fog up the game.
PRECISION cut, VAGUENESS slide,
TRUTH and FALSEHOOD side by side.

LANGUAGE pour that red red wine,
MISUSE spill it every time.
CLAIM knock hard on wood,
COUNTERCLAIM say, “Not so good.”

SCIENCE bring her tools in line,
SUPERSTITION read a sign.
TECHNE smell like iron and flame,
CONTROL and CHAOS play the game.

PRODUCTION break that bread in half,
LABOR cough, don’t even laugh.
WEALTH sip slow, silk and ease,
POVERTY feel that winter breeze.

STATE walk in iron shoes,
LAW and LAWLESSNESS choose.
WAR stomp dust across the tile,
PEACE come barefoot for a while.

RIGHTS unfold like sacred page,
OBLIGATION feel like cage.


CODE walk in metallic and cold,
“Who do I serve?” she bold.
POWER raise jeweled hand,
UTILITY show numbers planned.

NECESSITY speak first and slow,
CONTINGENCY say, “We don’t know.”

LOVE didn’t move.

Then LOVE rose.

Didn’t count coins, didn’t trade,
Didn’t bow to deals they made.
Didn’t fear CONSEQUENCE or blame,
Didn’t play POWER’s little game.

FAITH stand close, HOPE lean near,
CHARITY move chairs clear.

Music slow, candles shake,
EMPIRE tremble, MARKET break.
LAW and LOOT rise and fall,
LOVE remain above it all.

The BANQUET don’t end tonight —
It mirror you in candlelight.