Darker Ages Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

There was a very darkened age
some centuries ago
when people lived by strictest rules
and progress was quite slow

Some men of lowly birth were tied
to stay in their birth place
and could not change their job or trade
or prison they would face

It was a time of mortal plagues
of cruel wars and strife
and what a fever did not claim
a sword could end one's life

The fields were often owned by lords
and workers' rest was brief
and yet there were those sought for days
when they had some relief:

The fairs where villagers would join
in singing, drink and fun
with monkeys and with dancing bears
they'd laugh and tall tales spun

Today the world has changed a lot
although there may be some
in some far hidden cove or glen
who to old ways succumb

It's true that changing jobs or towns
is free to those who choose
and none is forced to labor long
or need to be abused

Hard won is freedom's flag of hope
from those old days of toil
hard won the right to grow or sow
on one's own plot of soil

There was a very darkened age
some centuries ago
when people lived by strictest rules
and progress was quite slow.