What of the Enlightenment
Be grateful at least that a few
Skeptics turned the world on
Its head made the self-important
Think twice before spouting
Claptrap about the divine right
Of kings without firing a shot
They overthrew dynasties
Birthed our republic for the
Most part separated state
From religion here though
Europe had ways to go on this
Insight it was time now for the
Peoples to slaughter each other
Over what they believed better
More honest to bleed for your
Nation than your religion
Not get God’s hands any more
Bloody than they got in the
Crusades not for men anymore
To hustle claims for Papal land
When they could clash nakedly
Over pride wealth and tribute
A long time in coming free
Thought in science philosophy
Economics another renaissance
Blossomed they tore down the
Gates of the undeservedly rich
Found ways finally to get bread
To the poor some heads rolled
Over the years into baskets
Those who refused to accept
What some conceived as
The reign of reason or terror
Depended on which side
Of the weighted blade you
Stood or laid not every priest
Was purged not every noble
Beheaded one could argue
The church and the kings
Took a toll of their own over
Who agreed to support them or not
But who’s counting plus ça change,
Plus c'est la même chose
Like Caesar’s wife once questioned
Never regained full trust so all
Institutions took a kick in
The neck not quite ever regain
Their former glory but soon
Enough new forms re-established
Authority new emperors led
New nations to conquering
Vanquishing displays of how
Even rational reasonable men
Who believed in liberty
Equality for themselves could
Trade rum and cloth for flesh
From their enlightened colonies
The mind’s a curious thing to
Believe itself learned while
Stupid to think itself truthful
When lying to think itself
Free when enslaved
c. J.S.Manista, 2015
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