The apex
of the population pyramid
is surmounted by the privileged,
straddled there
while the rest of us
are saddled
with them.

As they gaze down
with an exquisite contempt
born of their own dependence
and displaced on the
under
privileged
who support them,
they do their best to forget
the extent of their dependence
on the benevolence
of the numbers in their scaffold,
who can decide
at any time
the free ride
is over,
uncinch the saddle,
walk out from
under
and allow them
the privilege
of supporting themselves.

"...the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs,
nor a favored few booted and spurred ready to ride them legitimately
by the grace of God."  -  Thomas Jefferson