Miss Harper is a teacher at the Keith School in Rockford, Illinois.

What power takes hold of man today

That makes him think it right to say

That all must have an equal share

Of our prosperity? Beware!

What right have I with subtle stealth

To take a part of others’ wealth?

If one can grab with greedy smirk

To take the fruits of others’ work,

Then what initiative have we

When all will be shared equally?

By whatsoever name it’s called,

I cannot help but be appalled

To think that people’s moral sense

Does not oppose this great pretense

That it is right for one to steal

Since it is for another’s meal;

That it is Christian love when he

Robs you to give some more to me.

For though he aims at noble ends,

My conscience on the means depends.

and is it just by force or might

To make me serve what he thinks right?

So please don’t give or steal from me.

I want to keep my liberty,

Which you are someday bound to lose

If it’s the other path you choose.