On the Road from Samaria

When they manipulated the stock market,
I remained silent;
I was making money and felt superior to the crowd.

When they silenced their critics,
I remained silent;
I was self-righteous and felt they got what they deserved.

When they came for the blue collar workers,
I did not speak out;
I enjoyed my superior social status and the cheap consumer goods.

When they came for my neighbor's possessions
I remained silent;
I was afraid and jealous and glad to see him brought down.

When they grew richer and more powerful
I accepted their lies in silence;
I wanted to gain their favor and be one of them.

When they came for me,
and sent me to a camp as a useless eater
I reaped what I had sown.

On the Road from Samaria, Jesse