Slavery, Cannibalism And Low Wages

Slavery is a bit like cannibalism,

where the energy of the slave is et

instead of the flesh, per se,

although that too is consumed, to be sure,

but rather by whip and exhausting chores

than directly by the slaver’s teeth.

What makes the slaver so delicate?

You’d think he might eat some tasty children.

But no. Perhaps Civilization constrains him,

or he sees their value, in a way.

The question was put one time in a book:

If a cannibal eat with a knife and fork,

shall we call it progress?

So now we ask in a similar vein:

If a wage be so low it hurt a worker,

Is the boss better than slaver?