Of all the dreams I never thought

I would dream this dream–

Men in shining coats I saw,

Imperially supreme.

 

Graying temples, fraying tempers,

One read from a parchment:

“Thou shalt not any questions ask,

However merited thine intent.

 

Know that the times have undergone

A Titanic make-over;

Hellenic habits must now submit

To the self-evident truth of power.

 

Our job is now to nod assent

To what edicts come each day;

These edicts are for the public good,

So we only have to say

 

Do not look at the iron fist,

Or the menace in the eye;

just be beguiled by the saccharine hope

Packaged in the imperial lie.”

 

At which a rustle of discomfort

Set in among the coats;

But the leader firmly held his ground,,

Too canny to burn his boats.

 

I asked my parrot if this dream

Made much sense to him;

He winked and parroted profoundly,

“Truly, you are so dim.”

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