EMPTY SLIDE, SILENT SWING

39. EMPTY SLIDE, SILENT SWING

 

Of old thundered out the sole command

See My world is fully manned

Go forth! Multiply! Fill the earth!

Of children see there be no dearth

Ages long saw worth of system

Replete with joy and Heaven’s wisdom

Trouble was scorned, no fear of age

When having kids was all the rage

Quiver of sons at the gate

Firm and strong ‘gainst each foe’s hate

A score of hands for our infirm

Saw them through to life’s full-term

So when frail Gran in plight did groan

A host of help was by the phone

 

But now has come clear change of days

All rushed in to leave amazed

Since up went the Malthus cry

Too many are born! Too few do die!

Hear the spirit of this age

And mark no more that Bible sage

If this our world to you is dear

Best you have few babies here

At most say one, or two - or none?

‘Stead have cars and pets and fun!

 

A change so great, strange to relate

Came in by stealth to seal our fate

Witness now the shift profound

Now stir from cot is scarcely found

Cry of play no more doth ring

Empty slide and silent swing

Baptised are few, sad loss of rites

Weddings, births, New Year’s nights

Surely we've not thought it through

Who’ll do the work when youth are few?

Fret not a jot, the wise intone

Trust it to the State, they drone

But how can that suffice, think you?

Needs not the State our children too?

And tomorrow’s taxes none will pay

Now all around us have gone grey

Vain to seek a son’s strong arm

Or daughter’s love to soothe and charm

Vain that day for Gran to ring around

No help at all will she be found.


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