end of an Age

Like Saruman's last mischief in the Shire,
Trump desecrates what he can't understand.
The fossil fuels he pumps into the fire
ensure catastrophes, on sea and land.
Galadriel bequeathed a wooden box
of probiotics to heal MiddleEarth
from orcs, and greed, and violence, and pox;
The Fourth Age had great omens at its birth.
But we've wrought this catastrophe ourselves
no elder race would answer if we'd call.
No Bombadil, no wizards, no high elves.
We fight alone, our backs against the wall.
This Armageddon we've made on our own
We get to save the planet all alone.

spin

Remember macabbees who would not fight
on Shabbos; they were slaughtered as they prayed.
We celebrate their schooling on this night;
Their sons learned where distinctions must be made.
Pikuach nefesh, some mitzvot  must bend
if we're to serve the Lord another day.
Important values that we must defend
Must be prioritized in each Jew's fray.
Hasmoneans were not of David's line
and Tanaim dismissed their claim to rule.
They know it was no part of God's design
that His own Land be subject to Rome's tool.
A monarchy's a problematic thing
for Jews who'll balk at any earthly king.

nativity

past Winter solstice comes the natal day
when commerce pauses, and the hearthfires glow
and kindred gather whereever they've strayed
and no on has an urgent place to go
we  celebrate the birthday of a son
defying length'ning shadows of the Dark
and heap our aspirations on the One
who in maturity will leave his mark
the interim lapsed in obscurity
careers embarked but eftsoon laid aside
the tale resumes when he's near thirty-three
and neighbors wonder if he'll take a bride
just when the dwindling days had seemed to stall
sir Isaac Newton cast light on us all

unbalanced

clear-cutting old-growth forests of brown kelp
sea urchins mow whole eco-systems down.
I'll eat more uni ('cause I want to help)
Until sea otter numbers can rebound.
At equilibrium, there's food for all!
echinoderms proliferate quite well.
Such delicacies barely even crawl
a billion years, they've trusted spine and shell.
Tool users serve their gonads up on rice
as briny sushi with that unctuous glow
the simplest presentation, shorn of spice
sophisticated diners love their roe.
We chordates have no future on this Earth
if we won't grant these algae their due worth.

vayishlach

His brother Esau's inarticulate,
while Jacob's way too clever with his tongue.
That masquerade in Edom's borrowed kit
earned twenty years of sweat, 'midst sheep and dung.
Those twenty years elapsed, and both men grew
each filled a father's and a rancher's niche.
'Though only one of them remained a Jew
each waxed content, and evidently rich.
When last they'd met, one'd threatened violence
but they're more genial than bellicose
the solemn meeting that began so tense
resolves they'll live in peace--but not live close.
They're wholly reconciled, yet dwell apart
two brothers in two lands, 'though one in heart.

vayeshev IV

Yehudah bought his firstborn son a bride
but got no grandson to enlarge his name.
Another wedding, this groom also died
immortalized in English for his shame.
Tamar did what she must to get it done.
She saw her future in its breadth and depth.
Her fam'ly's a dead-end without a son
but men seem too consumed with fear of death.
Predictably, her father-in-law's pissed
and threatens consequences for her act.
But he'd been partner to her road-side tryst
and now, he's man enough to own the fact.
Moshiach's ancestors were deeply flawed
and when he comes, it's 'cause one played the bawd.

dysfunction vayeshev

Jake made his darling shepherd of his kin
embroidered coat for mr. fancy pants.
Great tragedies look small when they begin.
They so resented Joseph's arrogance.
Conspiracy to murder came to naught
Preempted by a passing caravan
Young Joseph's never sold, but swiftly bought
Reuven's out the value of a man.
One last deception, Jacob's left to grieve
As if a second time he'd lost his wife
His father's blessings all seem to deceive
There's not a lot of joy in Jacob's life.
But spare this family just a little while;
with time and growth, they still can reconcile.

realpolitik

Gantz offers Netanyahu a reprieve
and claims himself compassion's soft spotlight.
If Bibi'd demonstrate the sense to leave,
he'd snuff this endless internecine fight.
Zimbabwe pioneered the compromise
to send Mugabe back to his own farm
forgoing restitution for his lies
before he did the country still  more harm.
The classic text from Harvard/MIT
foretells this tale as if it were on rails.
Elites who fence off opportunity
will drag us back around "Why Nations Fail".
Corrupt foundations undermine the State;
what's not legitimate, cannot be great.

big test

Two bills Pelosi sent up from the House
adjure the Senate to deliberate.
Two sparks McConnell fiercely wants to douse
before the Light of Truth can propagate.
But--in impeachment--Justice would preside
John Roberts takes the seat from the VP.
By oath, he mustn't favor any side
entrusted with the High Court's legacy.
"Two thirds" is still a daunting hill to climb;
Trump's faction keeps their thumbs firm in their ears.
If once we were to prosecute his crimes
some might vote more on ethics than on fears.
Imperfect vessels of our highest trust
could yet prove our republic's been a bust.

Balance of Power

As Alexander Hamilton explained:
a faction might refuse to see the flaw
in crimes as crass as Trumpty's in Ukraine.
They'd hold "their" president above the Law.
James Madison hoped we could dodge these snares:
A growing Union's vast diversity
could mean there's no majority clique there
to trample Justice chasing Unity.
Tripartite government should be a "stool"
to balance Palace 'gainst the People's Halls.
But institutions can't make men of fools
and Mitch McConnell seems have no balls.
Enlightenment's experiment could fail
if we don't send this orange ass to jail.

irrecoverable

The seat McConnell stole can't be redressed
if institutions are to stay intact.
Although a court of nine might be deemed best,
temptation's strong to see this one get packed.
Let Sanders nominate a judge (or ten)!
Pat Leahy's Senate would applaud and sign.
The Roberts Court's been short a few good men
to keep the neo-fascist wing in line...
But eight years hence, the tide could swing around
a new administration might riposte
to seat another dozen unfit clowns.
Decorum on the High Court would be toast.
No scholar would contend this was what's meant
when Senators are asked to give consent.

Parties are a bug, not a feature

What Hamilton most feared has come to pass;
one faction holds the Senate in our times
defending tribally it's arrant ass
ignoring evidence of his high crimes.
No public spirit motivates their ranks;
Each votes as Mitch McConnell says they ought.
Unswerving minions to Big Oil and Banks,
their honor has been weighed and--cheaply--bought.
Four dozen voices; scarce a single brain,
Murkowski stands alone, expressing doubt
whose interests got served in the Ukraine.
For which she's urged to "shut up" and "get out".
Appeal to Heaven's still our last resort
if Congress can't comport as fits a court.

uncharted

Impeachment mechanisms are right there;
the House indicts, the Senate tries the case.
Already, Hamilton smelled factions' snare;
allegiances could shrink to just one's "base".
"Ambition must be made to counter-act..."
James Madison refused to give up hope.
Tripartite government could work in fact
(unless we'd vest high office in a dope).
But still, some failures couldn't be foreseen.
A Congress so deficient in its pride--
subservient to White House's machine
--could fail to take the sov'reign People's side.
The Framers sketched no  roadmap for this mess;
the seat McConnell stole leaves no redress.

growth

While Esau bedded every girl around,
their mother's apron-strings kept Jacob home.
There wasn't room for both in any town
so now, he'll seek adventure on his own.
The paths his father never got to tread,
his mother maps out in her hasty scheme.
New angels to vouchsafe the road ahead
sign in to take their posts within his dream.
Tout-suite, a boy-meets-girl scene at the well
his feisty cousin's quite the lively catch!
But Laban's unsurprised at tales he'll tell;
this adolescent trickster's met his match.
Let Edom lay to rest the old bad blood
embracing his late-blooming brother stud.

coming out

While Esau bedded every girl around,
his brother Jacob cuddled with a book.
There wasn't room for both in any town
but Rivkah had made sure each learned to cook.
The road his father never got to tread
his mother maps out in her hasty scheme.
New angels to vouchsafe the road ahead
sign in to take their posts within his dream.
Tout-suite, a boy-meets-girl scene at the well
his cousin's manifestly a fine catch
But Laban's unsurprised at tales he'll tell;
this adolescent trickster's met his match.
Let Edom lay to rest the old bad blood
embracing his late-blooming brother stud.

daydreams

I smell the things he eats on his rank breath.
The predator that's clinging to my back
can't know I fantasize about his death,
each time I'm called from pasture to take tack.
Domestication's not all bad, I know.
We used to live in fear of wolves, and bears.
Extinction's a much tougher row to hoe;
too many species are no longer here.
But bonding with new strangers every week
--each acting like I owe something to him--
presumes that I'm consistently so meek
that I'm enthusiastic for his whim.
These city-slickers staying at Dude Ranches
smash gratifyingly on low-slung branches.

unconsidered opinion

The Kremlin plants fake stories on the Right

to poison dialogue among us Yanks.
They bait the Left as well, but get no bite;
the credulous are thin, among those ranks.
Mistrusting facts, Trump's base clings to his cult
like he's some Cyrus, doing God's behest.
The skepticism fitting an adult--
If not eradicated's--been suppressed.
A battle different than we've waged before
is not amenable to compromise;
if we're to win this asymmetric war

we'll need an antidote to arrant lies.

Democracy's a less-than stable boat
if citizens won't read, and think, and vote.

testify, sister!

Fiona Hill's a villain to the tribe
who'll never get what makes this country great.
She caught her boss soliciting a bribe
and--by her oath--will not equivocate.
The immigrants who've made this land their own
(not Gorka, but the likes of Dr. Hill)
won't bow to Trumpty on his tin-plate throne
and rain contempt on sycophants who will.
A land where class won't limit where she'll go,
where accent won't define a woman's place;
should not be sullied with Trump's quid pro quo,
or Pence's thinly veiled appeals to race.
No man of woman born can bring him down,
But Hill's the fitting bane of Trumpty-clown.

chayya Sarah

A slave plays out the type-scene at the spring
for Yitzhak, who must never leave the Land.
Enticing her with camels, gold, and ring
(the last is for her nose, not for her hand).
His master'd charged him: "Go and take a wife!
But do so for the one who can't be there"
Although that ram redeemed his forfeit life,
Our jealous God's still disinclined to share.
By now, Laban weighed harsh on Rivka's nerves
And prospects in her hometown rated low.
This unseen prince could be what she deserves;
she didn't hesitate to say "let's go!".
The match his mother took no time to find
was left to God when he tried dating blind.

duplicitous

The scandal Gordon Sondland has described

sets diplomats in conflict on two tracks.

While some extorted allies, seeking bribes

the others blandly claimed to have their backs.
Yet neither could be said to have gone rogue;

each executing what their boss had said.

Confusion over what's the quid pro quo

is wholly inside Trumpty's addled head.

Two sets of books--just like he keeps for tax!

One cover story, one recording crime.

Compulsive liar's "alternative facts"

collide with real reality, real-time.

'Though Trump--predictably--will throw a fit

Fiona Hill's not taking any shit.

adult supervision

Ken Starr concedes Pelosi's case looks strong
but doubts Republicans will sign on--yet.
To punish Trump--although it's plain he's wrong--
Is not the way this partisan would bet.
The straw that made Dick Nixon cut and run:
four party elders told him to his face
Their role in his whole cover-up was done.
They'd shouldered far too much of his disgrace.
Each day, another witness testifies
They'd asked for bribes 'cause Trumpty'd told them so
While Giuliani coached them in their lies,
the goal was manifestly quid pro quo.
When Starr admits Pelosi's case makes sense
a Democrat may face off with Mike Pence.

honor among thieves

The Walsh investigation hit a wall; no witness summoned would cooperate. A dozen parrot "I cannot recall" what Bush or Reagan'd done in ContraGate. How different everything looks in Ukraine! Omerta's not a value in Trump's tribe. Ambassadors demur to take the blame; what Trump'd solicited's a blatant bribe. Between the Devil and the deep blue Sea Zelensky tried his best to do what's right. Is he complicit in Trump's felony? He barely has a stake in this dogfight. Our diplomats won't meekly take the hit for Trumpty-Dumpty's partisan bullshit.

Lot's lot

Lot cast his lot among the cityfolk
less trusting in mishpachah than steel gates.
Reprising hospitality as joke
he scarce escaped his neighbors' fiery fate.
Though never doubting Justice must be done,
his uncle interceded for his skin.
Defense he dared not offer his own son,
seemed requisite for his dead brother's kin.
No such destruction's wholly one man's fault;
He had no veto on how things got done.
But now he's widowed by a post of salt,
His daughters felt obliged to get him sons.
Moshiach's ancestor roots in this text--
strange consequence to drunk illicit sex.

ad-hominem

The SwiftBoat libel Kerry failed to quash
was never prosecuted as a crime.
This cycle, all eyes focus on Amash;
Perchance the better man could win this time?
John Yoo inpugns a hero's loyalty
as if he didn't hold those values dear
that should define this "Land of Liberty".
And Vindman's suspect 'cause he's not born here.
Impeachment turns on votes, as much as laws,
as Publius warned in our nation's youth
Trump's violation's blatant, clause by clause...
but Hannity's contemptuous of Truth.
Ad-hominem attacks hold center stage
while half our voters sneer and disengage.

institutional corruption

Haim Saban preselects before we choose
Like China holding Hong Kong in its fist.
Democracy's deferred 'til they've gone through;
We only get to pick from their shortlist.
To serve the public shouldn't cost a mint;
The tab for ad-time's way out of control.
High-level jobs within "our" government
get purchased with a mortgage on your soul.
But "money equals speech" our courts attest;
to cap donations might abridge a "right".
So policy reflects donors' behests
They wield a veto largely out of sight.
While "Buckley..."'s still the law, sure your vote counts--
but ten-fold if it comes with large amounts.

senseless

The "incoherence" Lindsey Graham sells
is not an alibi to exculpate
a president who cavalierly tells
his embassies to "go ahead and wait".
Zelensky's got a narrow plank to walk
Between the Kremlin and U S. demands.
But Trumpty-Dumpty's disorderly talk
means conflict--if not war--is close at hand.
The Russian GDP's no more than Spain's--
--scant base on which to sensibly aspire.
But Putin trusts that Trumpty's so insane,
he'll reconstruct the Soviet empire.
While Graham does obeisance to his boss
democracy itself may take the loss.

FauxLeft

Mike Bloomberg scores a 'D' on CivilRights;
unreasonable search was fine by him!
Our constitution wasn't worth a fight
when dissidents were booked at Popo's whim.
But now he's seen Joe Biden drop the pace,
and leaps to stake that lane out as his own.
Big bankers want a champion in this race
and Trump can't carry all their hopes alone.
Like Garnet Coleman warned, four years ago,
the DNC won't let the People choose
an honest socialist when there's more dough
behind a guy who writes his own puff news.
The "factions" that our Founding Fathers feared
risk our republic's soul, this coming year.

one more billionaire

The donors who had pumped Joe Biden's bid
are showing doubts the old boy can compete.
Increasingly, they're flirting with the kid;
new waves of money lap at mayor Pete.
Mike Bloomberg saw Joe falter, took the jump
to seize the corporate Democrats' lane.
While no one thinks he's half as bad as Trump,
he still speaks more for Wall-Street than for Main-.
He's run a city, paid his civic dues
and--'though he'll grumble--always pays his tax.
But better still, he'd just buy out FoxNews
unplugging waves of scurrilous attacks.
Until votes out-weigh dollars in this race
the People's int'rest still wears Bernie's face.

image

The Girthers challenge Donald on his size
he's manifestly less that six foot three
and wildly inconsistent in the lies
he tells the bureaucrats at DMV.
A little man obsessed with all things big
heart-broken that his doll-hands don't conform
to what his daddy thought fit such a pig
remains obsessed with men in uniform.
Professor Warren's duly unimpressed
his propaganda's way below her grade.
When voters get to choose which one is best
he'll have exquisite cause to be afraid.
His wives know what he's terrified they'll say
if they would dare defy his NDA.

change?

Pelosi's trained a lifetime for this role
presiding with a gavel in her claw.
A visionless tactician in control
finds partisan advantage in the Law.
The "Right" reviles her for what she is not;
Progressives know she doesn't have their back.
But she makes any chair Trump sits in hot,
and brings a certain verve to each attack.
Still, fixing our republic's out of range
she won't do what big donors don't endorse
a Sanders or a Warren would want change
and Wall Street wouldn't get to plot that course.
Impeachment may give spectacle and fun
but these are Nancy's last days in the sun.

Victor

The Right to Live in Peace rings in the night
though Pinochet had tried to quell his voice
this Victor hasn't give up the fight
and goes on singing, 'though he can't rejoice.
The Right to Live in Peace swells day by day
Half Santiago's thumping to the dance
the million Victor Jara taught to play
now give non-violence a second chance.
The Right to Live in Peace roars in the street
the banks can't hide behind self-serving laws.
No wealthy few are going to defeat
the People unified in a just cause.
the Victor Jara anthem feeds on rage
rejecting plutocrats in our new age.

inflection

Sam Donaldson remembers Nixon well
abusing power for his private ends.
This year, he welcomes Trumpty to this Hell
where we'll find that he doesn't have two friends.
Just Mitch McConnell--staunch guard at his rear--
still promising to quash Pelosi's bills,
stands firm while others slink away in fear
(although he pulls his head into his shell).
Pelosi's counting votes and bides her time;
she won't lob Mitch a slow-pitch he can hit.
Before the Senate's voting on Trump's crime
McConnell's allies might be wise to quit.
A nation's nightmare, played out to the crowd--
'though slow to start--is getting very loud.

disloyal

John Yoo can't forge a legal argument
to justify what Trump's done in Ukraine;
soliciting a foreign government
has no place in a federal campaign.
Swiftboating patriots' been tried before
when--on the merits--Kerry might have won.
Professor Yoo's a more then eager whore
who does it less for fee, than for the fun.
The immigrant who loves his country's cause
survived an IED blast in Iraq.
Back home, where he expects the rule of laws,
contemptibly takes gunfire from the back.
A party scant on honor, spine, and sense
now fears their best remaining option's Pence.

the parochial serves the universal

Strange savior to only kin and kine not caring for his fellows in the least at consanguinity, he draws the line, reserving hospitality to beasts. But neighbors got no warning, no reprieve If their own gods don't specify an ark, they got surprised the day it's time to leave succumbing to the flood, and mud, and Dark. Concern for strangers dawns with Avraham A Light until the Nations' something new confronting God with his own moral qualm Refocuses from "species" down to "Jew". If not a "tzaddik", certainly a sage this new protagonist for a new age.

situational

the neighbors must have asked, but Noah shrugged

so done with advertising what he planned.

He used to socialize, 'til he got mugged

but now he's sure they'll never understand.

The voices coming to him in the night--

insisting he must make this box his home--

would only cause the doomed to fret and fight;

 the dreams were meant for him, and him alone.

A later prophet'd warn Assyria

that God did not approve their errant ways

but Noah'd let the folk of Ninevah

go blithely to their fiery end of days.

within his generation, Noah's best.

But Avraham did better by his guest.

niggling

The full report refutes Bill Barr's glib gloss;
the Special Counsel felt his hands were tied.
He had no writ to prosecute his boss,
despite strong evidence he'd bigly lied.
That Russia meddled's proven without doubt
but Putin might have done that on a whim.
As candidate, Trump didn't have the clout
to dictate KGB hitlist to him.
A race so close depended on a thread
as turnout was suppressed by foreign aid
Since Trump and Putin plainly were in bed,
who cares if Mueller can't prove Vlad got paid?
No SpecialCounsel could transcend his writ
when Mitch McConnell doesn't give a shit.

and loyalty towards none

The shock's exquisite on Trump's spray-tanned face;
November swept all Orange County Blue.
His name's a millstone in this midterm race
the House  now boasts a cyanotic hue.
When even Mitch McConnell won't defend
Trump's quid pro quo corruption in Ukraine,
The egoist who's never made a friend
finds few stands by him swirling down the drain.
Just Pence heels dog-like, orbiting his mass
Like Hillary adhering to her Bill.
His lips seem stapled to the orange ass
as if he has no independent will.
Pelosi's counting votes, and likes her odds;
Iconoclasts are faithless to false gods.

co-equal

The fabric of society could burst
as Trump transgresses every rule and norm.
He started bad, but day by day gets worse
and  makes no slightest effort to conform.
Dick Nixon hoped no statutes could apply
to anything the president had done.
Now Trumpty goads his minions to defy
the courts that must restrain their Chosen One.
John Roberts will be tarred by Limbaugh's base
presiding in the Senate as he must
if our republic's to survive this case,
we've got to hope this Justice will prove just.
When Trump feels free to lie, defraud, extort...
our Senate sits as court of last resort.


                 

Betsy Herring

Liz Warren trod her own Damascus road
before she took to heart Progressives' cause.
This Harvard expert in bankruptcy code
took inspiration from the dryest laws.
The daughter of Republicans pure-bred
keeps family ties, but spurns much that they'll do.
The blossom on this rootstock that's so Red
if not cerulean, is deeply Blue.
Some can't forgive her failure to endorse
the Sanders bid, when Bernie stood alone.
But I'll let Bernie choose his friends, of course
I won't tell Bernie whom he must disown.
A second term's no cinch for Trump to steal
when he's contending with a convert's zeal.

amoral

Transactional relationships suffice

If you're a rich schlub looking to get laid.
No one has value, but each has her price
And one can always buy a passing grade.
Roy Cohn built a career within the mob
And mentored Donald in corruption's ways.
Morality had no place in that job;
nobody's wrong if he's the one who pays.
With no internet compass of his own,
He trusts one's worth the price for which he's bought.
Condemned to walk his  joyless road alone,

Trump lies awake in dread of getting caught.
No manly honor curbed his urge to steal
false authorship for "The Art of the Deal".

self-dealing

Awarding contracts to his own resort
Trump grabs emoluments the law forbids.
Defying both the Congress and the courts,
to separate his interests from his kids'.
Both Foreign and Domestic, seizing both
he gives our Constitution zero heed.

You'd be a fool to think he'd keep his oath

to guard a Constitution he can't read.

This crime, Pelosi thinks, she can explain
to even Trumpty-Dumpty's basest base.
Fundraisers for his cause will feel the pain

as this drags into next November's race.
Infractions even Mitch strains to defend
tip this new nightmare back towards Nixon's end.

cabinet of tools

DeVos, Mnuchen, Ross...Trump's cabinet--
burnt to it's venal irredentist core--
still hope the public's willing to forget
how eagerly they've played the Donald's whore.
The Senate can't advise or give consent
when acting Secretaries come and go
revolving door runs right through government
And back to industry to roll in dough.
A few--like Mattis--did their best, then quit
There's nothing in this train-wreck to be saved
The bitter-enders, chin-deep in Trump's shit
Are irredeemable, short of the grave.
Long years since Puzder's jersey's been retired
The worst think themselves safe--'til they get fired.

faithless II

No ally should accept us at our word;
We're quick to contradict the things we'll say.
Each generation seems to screw the Kurds,
And Trump's a different guy from day to day.
Pesh Murga've fought our fights, and paid their dues.
But self-determination's "premature"?
They're not as influential as the Jews;
Our treaties toothless as Trump's addled slur.
But Trumpty-Dumpty's never made a friend
He's been the loner since his unplanned birth.
Still using people as means to his end;
Alliances to Trump are of no worth.
The clown's as free of honor as of class.
who trusts in Donald takes it up the ass.

faithless

Betraying Kurdish allies on a whim
Trump reaffirms he knows no loyalty.
But loyalists who'd put their faith in him
still haven't found the balls to mutiny.
With Pence at least, you're getting an adult--
Albeit one snarled in Mom's apron strings.
But trumpsters so entangled in his cult
don't mind that Don's a brat who would be king.
No Christian ought to take him at his word;
He cheats on loans, and liens, and wedding vows.
But maybe handing Erdogan the Kurds
Is more than even Robertson allows.
McConnell's got his back, but for how long?
When even true believers see Trump's wrong.

profiles in courage

Yovanovich stepped up to sing her song
about our ethos recently laid low.
How Trump woos the far Right, but got it wrong
to base our policy on quid pro quo.
Pompeo thought a fellow WestPoint grad
would join in or--at least--would temporize
But Taylor's quick to say what's bad is bad
and to condemn the master of such lies.
Trump's never made a friend. But enemies
proliferate wherever he's made deals.
And agents of our big spy agencies
are mostly deaf to his corrupt appeal.
While diplomats condemn both Trump and Pence
a thousand others slip them evidence.

vision

Joe Biden aims for what Obama'd got
aware substantive progress would be tough.
Don't look to him to better Workers' lot
Just don't get hugged, and act like that's enough.
But Democrats still stubbornly aspire
to someone who's both competent and wise.
The bits we got, we got by aiming higher
before we settled for a compromise.
Still, all is not as dire as it might seem;
a few still bear the flag of LBJ.
A Great Society's not just a dream
if senator Liz Warren gets here way.
If we're to get our proper slice of pie
we've got to start by asking for the sky.

crisis time

"Don't dare comply!" Trump sputters in contempt
"what Congress wants, no tool of mine will give.
Pelosi's over-reached in this attempt
to challenge me; I'm Chief Executive!"
Those who remember Nixon, twitch and blanch.
The heresy we'd beaten long ago
--asserting sole control for any branch--
marks this regime has just one way to go.
Our Constitution's Framers saw full well
we might confront a president amok
who'd gladly drag our system straight to Hell
if Legislators didn't give a fuck.
The Speaker's dragged her heels quite long enough.
It's long past time she more than acted tough.

loyalist

Pompeo tolerates his boss' lies
in violation of his WestPoint oath.
No moral compass they won't compromise
impinges on the bliss of one, or both.
McConnell holds the Constitution cheap;
he's hitched his cart to Trump's and won't let go.
Accustomed to swear oaths he'll never keep
as long as nothing stops the flow of dough.
No abolitionist could have foreseen
their party'd shed all principle to turn
into this parody of greed obscene
uncaring if our whole republic'd burn.
The Checks and Balances so finely wrought
must fail when all our servants have been bought.

crises

Two stents restore blood's flow where it was scant
and Bernie's heart continues its tick-tock.
But episodes like this mean people can't
dismiss discussions of the running clock.
The orange geriatric pompous jerk
--incumbent and presumptive nominee--
may argue he's he fittest for the work
albeit with no credibility.
Two old White men won't turn all voters' crank
full half of whom sat out, last time around.
Liz Warren has two Xs in the bank
and now seems poised to tear the system down.
To disenfranchise based on sex must stop;
this might just be a woman's turn on top.

moving forward

Americans can't trust this president
to serve our constitution as one should.
Forever chasing an emolument,
all policy's corrupted for Trump's good.
The demagogue our Founding Fathers feared
might raid our treasury to sway the polls.
But this banality that's now appeared
would threaten life on Earth exacting tolls.
'Though pure democracy's still out of reach,
we've failsafe mechanisms to invoke.
Now madame Speaker's moving to impeach,
McConnell may concede that it's no joke.
A year from now, we'll try GoodGovernance.
But for the nonce, I'd settle for mere Pence.

jockeying

Mike Cohen made his bid, but came up short,
deemed not deserving full immunity.
Half-willing witness holding forth in court
still takes the  bullet for his "client 3".
'Though Flynn was unrequited in his deal
and Weisselberg stepped up to sing his part,
what's public's not enough--although it's real--
we need to find the shit, not just the fart.
But now our play unfolds another act
our CIA remembers those Trump smeared
and sends a whistleblower armed with facts
the nemesis Steve Bannon must have feared.
The game's afoot; the competition's keen.
The knives are out to play the next John Dean.

past the threshold

Pelosi deems these charges just might work
convicting not just Trumpty, but Pence too.
Impeaching one, to stick us with the jerk
was something she'd been disinclined to do.
Both left gross fingerprints on the Ukraine
transactional relations on our dime.
If each sought benefits for their campaign,
McConnell might acknowledge it's "high crimes".
But even if the Senate won't convict,
the cover-up attests there's substance here.
Trump's masters might conclude their puppet's licked
as these investigations roll all year.
'Though Trumpty fervently doubts that it's so,
corruption's not defined by quid-pro-quo.