One time they would not spare the rod,
for fear to spoil the child.
But now the ones who claim to ‘know’
will spoil the child by different means,
an algorithm sets the scene
and plots where they will go.
The damage is more distant now,
detached yet pain will grow.
To this the world has been inured.
And with the placing of a life,
the ledger reconciled.
© Andrew Pratt 16/8/2020
I watched the beginning of a film of Jane Eyre. Jane was beaten. Today, still with less of a eye on the welfare of children we rarely use the rod. It has been replaced with algorithms…financial balance sheets and privilege seem to occupy the bottom line…
hymnsandbooks 