This ‘Forms of Love’ sonnet focuses on epithumia/epithumeō (desire); specifically, the desire for material things.
Nietzsche announced the “death of god” in 1882. He followed this announcement with a series of questions, one of which was, “How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers?” Well, the answer was already forming in the nineteenth century – consumerism. Today, most people are converts: we fill the void of religious purpose with the desire to own the latest electronic goods, vehicles, fashions and trinkets.
And, over the last century or so, as the pace of technological development has increased, we’ve bought into built-in obsolescence. Why repair the outdated when you can own the new?
Fellowship God’s coffin has been smothered with landfill; Rank refuse of the generations who Exchanged sweet-smelling scent for the bright pill Of lives judged by possessions folk accrue. Consumers saw faithful with empty hands Clasped tight round wishful prayers as temples grew, While shopkeepers gave joy to merry bands Kept hooked on debt and want by trinkets new. The weight of waste will God’s corpse fossilise Leaving a frame contorted with regret That needy palms waved at unyielding skies Were not with manna more routinely met. But gods and goods both false solutions are; For rich lives, fellowship must be the star.