The White Man's Burden Poem by TMA

Take up the White Man’s burden
The most thankless task in history
That it was the most important
And dangerous, is no mystery
And he did it not for his own gain –
A sated conscience would suffice
For the betterment of Mankind
He made this selfless sacrifice.

Left behind his sunny Europe
Yes, from Paradise did he go
To lands smoke-choked and stifling
Braving the barrages of snow
Left behind his land of plenty
Acres of fertile land to sow –
Abroad for the barren desert
Where hardly anything could grow!

He left behind his land unspoiled
And in a foreign land he toiled
He put food in the heathen’s house
He put prayer in the heathen’s mouth
“Before he came, ” I hear you ask
“However did the brutes survive? ”
Without a doubt God sheltered them
Till their succourers should arrive!

He taught them how to read and write;
And manners, and propriety;
He taught him how he must behave
In a modern society;
Taught him to treat all men the same;
Nor lust for power, which men crave;
He taught him to value freedom
By turning him into a slave.

’Tis the White Man’s Burden, you see
To bring light to those in the dark
“And light indeed their coffers be
And yours; heavier! ” you remark –
With jealous eyes the native spies
His sweat’s produce go overseas
But, trust me; a secure trustee
This man who your wealth oversees!

His muskets taught the native strength
They should be thankful that he deigned
To teach them Industry through Poverty
And freedom through chains.
Yet, “Chase the White Man from our land! ”
The native yells, the native cheers
I wonder, does he realize
That now he’s just as European? ?

“You know what, memsahib, ” he says, panting
As he chased him out the country –

“Though your words are fancily worded
I don’t know who you’re bullshitting
You call it the ‘White Man’s Burden’
Yet it’s us that does all the lifting! ! ”