Alan S. Austin
Arizona Playwright • Writer • Poet
  

A Prayer to the Great God Mammon

Oh Great God Mammon
I, your humble hard working servant
Salute thee. Give me more stuff
That will ease the burden of my soul.
Satisfy my desire so that I may worship you more fully.

The streets of my city are lined with your temples
Where we worship and call your name.
Young and old dutifully fill their own houses
With more than they need or want.

Those we most revere and seek to emulate
Shower themselves in your gifts.
Toilets like temples abound in their houses
Cars fill their garages and all in your praise.

Even our coffins, Lord Mammon, are sleek and ornate
And pay tribute to your gifts and power.
Such is our faith that we, your humble servants
Strive to render our living planet
Uninhabitable to ensure your worship.

Blessed are the rich for they shall inherit
What's left of the earth.
Blessed be cash for it shall provide the answer
To all things. In the name of the father,
Inheritance, stocks and shares,
The market and all the gold of Fort Knox.

Truly we are blessed and grateful
For your example. Give us strength
To buy more, buy better and more frequently
That we may show our thanks.

Mighty God, who delivers us from thought
Heed your humble servants and give us
More houses, more goods, more stuff
In name of Lord Mammon, Dollar, Gun and Holy Toast*.