Our nations capital

As I reminisce of our nation’s capital
Of vanquished ideals our forefathers swore
Where megawatt smiles are switched on in an instant
Compassion only available through a camera’s lens
Carefully crafted words available in neat little packages
With well-practiced obfuscations wheeled out in response to crisis
A dance well-choreographed as it sidesteps all questions.
 
As the world burns around us with increasing frequency
And the environment is damaged beyond repair
As science is followed or ignored depending how well it aligns to manic ideology
And pandemics disrupt any sense of normalcy
As our previous generations are treated as chattel
And money source to be milked and not revered.

As authoritarianism and neo-fascism become increasingly institutionalised
And we turn our backs on fellow man escaping deprivations beyond our imagination
As millions face destitution, death or despair
And we turn inward and ignore our moral duty to the world.

As our leaders become thralls to big business
And corruption becomes a badge of honour
As the media sings to a single tune
And propaganda and news become indistinguishable
As our outrage putters out in a single news cycle
And we sleep to forget our waking nightmares.
 
Don’t worry for our leaders are here to protect us
Save us from a far worse fate
Let their words soothe you and dull your senses
As they lead you blissfully unaware
To the butchers table.