Conversation

These people valued patriarchic hierarchies,
perhaps as being easier to control.
They made sin of bodily gratification,
pleasure, fun.
They devalued the Earth,
intra or inter-species cooperation,
the eco-sphere, the kinds of interdependence
that lead to appreciation of each connection.
They embraced harsh competition,
violent confrontation,
winner-take-all.
They favored the wealthy and powerful
whose ends justified any abhorrent means.
Their moral code was about restrictions,
not remedies.