The history of emancipation.

Overtaken, riding uphill.

****

To wither away the state must grow a tumour.

This lesson is from Capitalism.

****

Infinity is Nothingness reversed.

Nothingness is Infinity continued.

****

Wittgenstein thought wealth a defilement.

Another disappointed inheritor!

****

Capitalism, claims Kolakowski,

is a perfect fit for Human Nature

while Socialism is Impatience’s ideal.

Thus Selfishness shall make us live

and Magnanimity enslave us.

****

Arts Administrators,

more numerous than Artists:

Labour Legislators,

more timid than The Chartists.

****

Born on the Left

he had to think well of his fellowmen.

Born on the Right

he tried to think well of his enemies.

****

Those who believe in something

and those who believe in nothing

say they despise the credulous

who will believe in anything.

****

The way to Hell is paved with good inventions.

Misprints are Truth’s non-contributory pensions.

****

Classical Poetry didn’t rhyme

although, of course, its language did.

The choice before today’s Sublime

is adding to or getting rid.

****

I saw him looking lonely,

The big man in a blazer,

Reading Il Gazzetino

In the Sala di Attesa.

Now, where’s the ideology

In writing things like this?

John Berger would know how to

Reveal what is amiss.

A rentier is framed by

His clothes, his seat, his habits.

So Gainsborough would paint this one

Pot-shotting only rabbits.

****

Pascal spoke in Mathematics

Of Reason and of Love,

He warmed his hard theology

At Descartes’ glowing stove

Knowing he could never rhyme

Down Here with Up Above.