John Haag wrote poetry, too.


History Lesson

That little ape that came down from a tree

and used a stick on his enemy

and called aloud to his family

to show what a great brave ape was he

made followers out of you and me.



That little ape that got caught in the rain

and used some branches to cover his brain

and thought up gods for rain and for tree

to explain away the mystery

made worshippers out of you and me.



That little ape that had more than enough

and didn’t know what to do with the stuff

and instead of handing it out for free

put others to work for a salary

made employees out of you and me.



That little ape that schemed and planned

and put a fence around some land

and told his followers they’d be free

if they fought his next-door enemy

made soldiers out of you and me.



That ape whose stick is his bravery

whose ignorance makes theology

whose avarice makes wage-slavery

and makes a cause for nationality

makes monkeys out of you and me.  ¶ 1/18/2011 10:00:00 AM