When Whose Shall Those Things Be

Oh what is earth, that we should build

Our houses here, and seek concealed

Poor treasure, and add field to field,

And heap to heap, and store to store,

Still grasping more and seeking more,

While step by step Death nears the door.

C. Rossetti

I certainly couldn't have put it better myself. I wouldn't even try. You might think it a little grim, but materialism and greed are wrecking the planet. They are also destroying peoples lives on so many levels - friendships, marriages, community and so forth. Terrible crimes are committed in pursuit of money. Nothing is sacred. 

Money is not inherently bad in itself but the idolisation of it, is. Consumer capitalism creates many false gods, all clamouring for a bent knee at their wretched altars. Have a look around if you don't believe me. Social media, old fashioned newspapers, television, things that pop up unwanted on your phone - of course I could go on and on - the material in its many guises is always on show.

Rossetti's poem was written in the mid-19th century. Whatever would she make of the world today?