What if the sovereign himself is the villainous
destroyer of the realm?
Li Shang-yin
Oh America! God send his grace
greatly needed grace
Save us from this specter
this mind-maimed captain of our careening ship
whose lunacy squalls
from sea to darkening sea
his wrath an infant impotency
disguised by braggadocio
who knows full well it’s all an act
smug because to all he has dissembled
This is his pride his talent his reality
He is deceived
possessed by Powers beyond his powers
like Ahab underneath Ahab
deep in unconscious seas
an unseen god grips and swirls him
dragging him down
In delusion he tweets he would attack the sun
if the sun offended him
as so many have offended him
Cheering crowds
masked gunmen renegades
righteous true believers
genuine heroes and jolly simple folk
all benighted
How is it we respond
embracing or appalled
ourselves possessed
until his hate becomes ours
his crew sycophants
a few afraid of loss cling to gunwales
The best flounder like fish upon the dock
The rest bent on profitable cruises
paid for by the public mint
All discount this
our sinking Ship