Miss Harper is a teacher at the Keith School in Rockford, Illinois.
What power takes hold of man today
That makes him think it right to say
That all must have an equal share
Of our prosperity? Beware!
What right have I with subtle stealth
To take a part of others’ wealth?
If one can grab with greedy smirk
To take the fruits of others’ work,
Then what initiative have we
When all will be shared equally?
By whatsoever name it’s called,
I cannot help but be appalled
To think that people’s moral sense
Does not oppose this great pretense
That it is right for one to steal
Since it is for another’s meal;
That it is Christian love when he
Robs you to give some more to me.
For though he aims at noble ends,
My conscience on the means depends.
and is it just by force or might
To make me serve what he thinks right?
So please don’t give or steal from me.
I want to keep my liberty,
Which you are someday bound to lose
If it’s the other path you choose.
