The Merchants of Menace 

The quality of mercy is not strained. 
It drops as the gentle rain from heaven 
upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: 
It blesses him that gives and him that takes. 
The mightiest within the mightiest; it becomes 
the banker better than his yacht, houses and credit cards. 
Or his interceptor that shows the force of his financial power, 
the attribute to awe and respect, 
wherein doth sit the want and fears of presidents. 
But mercy is above, all the interest paid; 
it is enthroned in the hearts of rulers; 
it is an attribute of God himself; 
and earthly power doth then show like God's 
when mercy seasons payments made

Today the Bankers got their pound of flesh,
Taken without a drop of their debtors blood
By trickery and stealth they sold a bond anew 
Conditioning that only the bankers on forfeit would be paid 
Today their massive bonuses just keep on rolling in
Thanks to discarding rules that friendly politicians gave
The few over the many have once again prevailed 
Taking the food from mouths of babes never leaving just a scrap 
So the world does bleed and people to riot make
Named and shamed by the media clapping all in glee
Whilst the bankers continue in golden silent anonymity 
Their selfish genes now do in confidence grow 
Sneering at the masses all suffering down below
But altruistic genes will in their children grow.




Peter Baxter