For if in careless summer days In groves of Ashtaroth we…
““For if in careless summer days In groves of Ashtaroth we whored, Repentant now, when winds blow cold, We kneel before our rightful lord; The lord of all, the money-god, Who rules us blood and hand and brain, Who gives the roof that stops the wind, And, giving, takes away again; Who spies with jealous, watchful care, Our thoughts, our dreams, our secret ways, Who picks our words and cuts our clothes, And maps the pattern of our days; Who chills our anger, curbs our hope, And buys our lives and pays with toys, Who claims as tribute broken faith, Accepted insults, muted joys; Who binds with chains the poet’s wit, The navvy’s strength, the soldier’s pride, And lays the sleek, estranging shield Between the lover and his bride.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Power controls every aspect of life, from thoughts to desires, demanding obedience and extracting tribute.
In simple terms: Power dominates all, demanding loyalty and taking everything.
Key Takeaway
Beware the all‑controlling forces.
Themes
power
control
surveillance
exploitation
faith
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
poetic
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- personal freedom
- media consumption
- workplace dynamics
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
psychology
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What freedoms are you willing to surrender?
- How does surveillance affect daily life?
A Different Perspective
The poem may exaggerate to provoke, not reflect nuance.