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.

Who'll speak for peace?

John Bolton's no less fervent than before
despite the lives we've squandered in Iraq.
Good times, or bad, he beats the drum for war;
another futile lap around that block.
Our British allies read the same portent;
they're satisfied the Persians still want peace.
No cause at all for war is evident.
But Bolton's lust for blood finds no surcease.
Trump craves a war-time leader's special perks
that SCOTUS found in "Youngstown" long ago.
'Though Bernie scolds that's not the way it works,
our constitution's torch is burning low.
With Mattis gone, adults lost all control.
Another baseless war looks set to roll.

run down the colors

Two years, James Mattis managed to persist
explaining to an audience of one:
diplomacy's ill-served by hissy-fits;
what's wrought in wrath is rarely rightly done.
He knows how badly Powell's name got used
by Cheney and that Cabinet of tools.
And swore he'd be the only one to choose
when it was time to quit this ship of fools.
A lonely voice for clear Intelligence,
the last adult to hold Trump's gilded leash.
Not even Conway clings to faith in Pence
if Congress found the gumption to impeach.
MadDog has pulled the ripcord, bid farewell.
Last rearguard's down! We're in the jaws of Hell.

the churn

James Mattis still thinks sanctions must be strong
against the clique of Putin's oligarchs
and doesn't hesitate to say his boss is wrong
but his is not the voice to which Trump harks.
The general disdains ideologues
he deals in probabilities, and facts
and butts heads with the orange demagogue
who-right or wrong--wants always to attack.
The last adult to hold the boss' ear
who earned full clearance the old-fashioned way
sage councilor, Trump's unequipped to hear
might be relieved if he were fired today.
It's rumored that McMaster's out the door
for thinking that we shouldn't rush to war.

unfaithful

James Mattis knows our interest's with the Kurds;
our dalliance with Erdogan's a bust.
But Trump's alliances are empty words
and no one should extend him any trust.
The general's moved on from the ColdWar
He'll take the write-off; Incirlik's a loss.
While Trump grasps nothing of what's gone before
but needs the world to hail him as the boss.
The world knows well how Powell's name got trashed
to sell a war on Cheney's bogus shit.
Yet who can tell if this will be the clash
that makes a Secretary up and quit?
Today, Trump's scolding his chum, Erdogan
and Mattis knows the reins are in his hand.

loyalty

Each week, James Mattis weighs his loyalty
assessing at what threshold he'd resign
in protest of Trump's latest policy
no patriot can always toe the line.
The Powell Story's graven in his head
a noble man ill-used to sell a war
Brett Scowcroft met with him and bluntly said
'to serve Trump thus, would be to play the whore.'
No man commands the love he bears his flag
and quitting's how he'd have to send rebuke.
When all the bullshit makes him want to gag
Mad Dog's resolved to leave, but not to puke.
Punctilious to play his scripted role,
some wish the general would seize control.