Greed

Greed's the seasoned siren,
she lures all to her isle of avarice,
once invoked she'll never leave
your conscious mind,  
no man can escape her curse,
she holds in captivity your chained will,
you'll kill anyone for another token of gold,
you'll deprive your own children of health
for a fool's share, you'll abandon all sanctity
of love to steal another devil's keepsake, 
greed will engirt your every endeavor,  
she'll stifle every minute of your day 
with thoughts of opulence, 
she's the rogue of self-control, 
you'll kill your best friend for 
an inside stock market tip,
you'll destroy your kids' dreams
for a measly bloody share,
but she'll leave a revenant of ash
and disappointment in your wake,
you'll hunger for more like a helpless
dying drug addict, she'll bind you with
endless despair and horrid misery,
you'll end of naked upon some deserted islet
and your voice will echo in an empty return
of neverending silence. 

- John Hardesty