“The West” [Reflections On C Stapleton & PC Richman's Book Barter, N.Y.: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978 -chapter 3, 38, 39]
The problem with the “Western way”?
It’s upside down; reversed in ways
That things above the people are;
And “Getting” counts far more, by far.These authors do tip hats to folks –
“Be sure to end on friendly note”;
Not “Friendship is all barter’s base;
Do not in any way erase –“That aspect – its first half of word –
‘Com-merce’, ‘together’ – it’s absurd
To focus on the ‘merch’ alone;
Or invert word, and techniques hone”.“Best barters are extensions of
One’s friendships” – but example was
A taking game – of anything
One time each year” (their wants they bring –Reminds me of a swingers’ club;
The North’s wife-swapping – not for love
But for a quick fling in the hay
As friends and neighbors each get laid).The East does “People” first, it seems;
All “Things” are second – what that means
To me is, build a friendship base
Not up for grabs in any case.Upon that base then do your trades,
Except if base is hit by raid;
Then stop, rebuild once more the base,
Which can be laid in any place.Lord, Kingdom-layer enables that,
For we don’t dwell on friendship’s mat,
But rather, freed to friendship gain,
Win, lose, or draw – all there remain.For we’re not owned by things we’ve bought,
Nor by the kith and kin we’ve got;
But rather, in a bond of peace
With You and others, we release –All life around us, to take hold
Of life in which all can be bold,
And gentle also – all the keys
On keyboard play – it’s Thee through me.Thanks Lord for this.
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