I did not vote for tyranny
But many people did;
I face the prospect drearily
But it was never hid.
If somehow democratic norms
Or some semblance thereof
Survive the times—great bane deforms
Below, between, above—
It will occur in spite of those
Who voted to revoke
(In essence everybody knows
Elections are no joke),
For, even many years ago
I knew, as I know now,
The state of things must come to woe
If people did allow.
So many junctures on the path
The course might have been halted,
Today merely an aftermath
And many to be faulted.
I blame you, silly citizens,
Less fiercely than I might:
Your foolishness was ever men’s
(Which does not make it right).
Adieu to such a happy dream!
Now slanders fill the land.
The fault lies not with this regime
That they are out of hand.
When first you tolerated lies
You set the issue up,
Mendacity without disguise
To fill your altar cup.