Perhaps it was for decades held in check

By solid types who played a proper game,

But just behind this smokescreen did there lurk

An angry monster with no heart or shame?

 

Do we now see America for real,

Which kicks the sand in every weakling’s face,

Which flexes up its booster-bulging pecs,

Whose leaders think they own the global space?

 

Discretion and that old-world charm are out;

Replaced by bullies who would smack your teeth,

Should you but utter one word of dissent

Or stick to your legitimate belief.

 

An ideology, so dark, has dulled

The joys of soft and optimistic days.

Retribution, the sidekick of revenge,

Suits better this vast nation’s wilder ways.

 

Perhaps a boorish and impatient land

Now shows the world its true and ugly side,

And in the swirl of me-first and their god,

No unbelievers get aboard the ride.

 

Each golden well of reason has dried up;

Now they prefer conspiracies and lies.

And yet the public venerates these cranks,

Who lead the cheers at others’ sad demise.

 

Their motley world of graft and low-slung greed

Seems to prevail and mesmerise the throng.

We wish a new majority was nigh;

But who will dare to tell them they are wrong?

 

Could there exist alternatives out there,

The sort of sanity we've seen before?

Or has the noble genie flown for good,

Along with logic, common sense and law?