The Money Train Poem by Joan Marques

Is this a society or simply a pain?
A civilized order, or a devious money train?
They send you a nice letter: 'Congratulations!
You are now eligible to become
A member of our prestigious organization!
And because you've done so well,
It will cost you so and so
But if you want to become an honorary member
You will have to shell out
Some additional dough.'

That's when it hits me again:
This is the society of paying!
What was I thinking when I said
That blessings come from compassion and praying?
In this social order everything is an easy flip
Based on the protuberance of your money clip
You can buy and secure your way
Into almost every prominent association
As long as your contributions
Reaffirm the trend of complied expropriation

Nervously I keep wondering
If it is my mind that is so out of line
Or if this is really
How the world is considered 'fine'
With everywhere you look, a wicked vampire
Distinguishedly wrapped in business attire
Barefacedly performing the rip-off crime
And rattling, 'It's quid-pro-quo'
While stripping you from your last dime
To march along in this mandatory puppet show

So I guess I'll never make it: rebel that I am
Unwilling to pay my way into anything
Disparaging this unabashed scam
An outcast will I stay
Despised by those who play the game by the rules
And, in their stride to outshine each other,
Fail to see that they're such feeble fools.
I now realize my success will have to be
Peace of mind, fulfillment through efforts,
And refusing the money train to get the best of me.