Virtue Its Own Reward
Were this really so
The pious might appear less drained
As they labor in thankless austerity
So many other rewards more uplifting
The raging beatitudes of passion
The shrill hosannas of prosperity
An Occasional poet lauds these devotions
Of the countless who humbly serve
We sense the bard has mixed feelings
Vibrations in the moral hierarchy
Prompt us to mouth solemn fealties
Though privately we know better
Thus the unrewarded slog on
Long-suffering instrumentalities
While smugly the undeserving reap
9/18-9/19/09, 10/6-10/9/09
Copyright 2009 by Maurice Leiter
Posted with permission.
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