The River of the Parched Spirit

patriotism
said Johnson
is the last refuge
of a scoundrel

                   folly
                   said Blake
                   is the cloak
                   of knavery

                                      religion
                                      said Marx
                                      is the sigh
                                      of the oppressed

                                                               anxiety
                                                               said Kierkegaard
                                                               is the dizziness
                                                               of freedom

                                                                                          music
                                                                                          said Shaw
                                                                                          is the brandy
                                                                                          of the damned

                                                                                                 the river
                                                                                                 of the parched spirit
                                                                                                 waters the desert
                                                                                                 of the thirsty word