Poetry

Tyler Merbler photo

By

Ben White

With Disdain for the West

Congratulations, Russia –

Your ballot boxes have been stuffed with the praise

Of an American president who stays loyal

To your human rights violations and your strong-armed culture

While he seemingly wants to apparently claim

The same extreme power that keeps the Kremlin warm

And the political storm you weather is accepted

In Washington with the hope for new towers

In Moscow while forgetting how

The next six years will look

Behind your façade

Where a wink-and-a-nod relationship

Gives your government unsigned sanctions.

Spy-game advantages, and an international pass

On the world stage

Where the past

Is forgotten or never considered

And though the war was bitter and cold

It has no hold on you

As you control Western elections

And the voters you persuade

Have betrayed the principles

Of insightful civics

For the purpose of individual gain

So the present pain will only get worse

As you move in reverse to reclaim

A dominance you never really had

But are given now –

A gift allowed

By American

Entertainment

And the accompanying

Ignorance.

Ben White

Author of the books, Buddha Bastinado Blues and The Kill Gene, Ben White thought he was a poet, only to find out he is not a poet at all. He is a witness. What he writes is testimony.