Often Seeing Fire

By Andrew R. Duckworth

I.

The magician says “And for my next trick…” and so does the politician.

Yet, there is no magic to be seen when the politician speaks,

Unless, perhaps, one counts the disappearance of rights.

Where did they go? Such a filthy trick by blood covered hands.

And for his next trick, he’ll wash his hands and play dumb.

II.

“It ain’t much, but it’s honest work” normally comes from an honest voice.

You’ll never hear it in halls of marble with rulers on the throne,

Where the jester is the most honest in the room, but the most disposable.

When they become hungry, they will plunder all of the resources.

When they become thirsty, they will take your wine and drink it first.

III.

Oil spills, forest fires, drying river beds, ecological destruction.

We see the disaster, but they will only ever see an opportunity,

An opportunity to tack on the unrelated, to force unwanted policy.

Could play the blame game, but you probably already know their names.

They are the scale covered reptiles in nice suit jackets you bought.

IV.

Orwell saw it. The pigs said “some animals are more equal than others.”

Not to worry. While a power game is being played, so is a football game,

Just enough to get the mind away from their sick steps for a day.

When the game is won, who will emerge victorious? Not me. Not you.

On a chessboard, we are the pawns that get disposed of first.

V.

I was looking out the window of the car at the mountainside.

There is so much beauty left in this crazed and anxious world.

But a mind filled with ire often sees fire rushing to consume the free.

I wasn’t angry before the world went crazy, but I was asleep

And now that I’m awake, I can’t help but take notice of the terrifying.