With Gods and Kings

The soul is right The soul is good It gets no credit Perhaps it should Deserves respect Demands acclaim We give it up In someone’s name Maybe a god Maybe a king A pleasant voice That truly rings -- A handsome face Virile and stout Yells when to throw The garbage out We like our kings We cheer our gods They claim that we Defy the odds And exert sway Over our paths I think a heard Some god just laugh -- No I am sure One of our kings Went to his bank Glibly skipping Walking on streams As kings are wont Best seats in every Restaurant While you and I Just have to wait And drool upon Our meager plate My how they lead And how we swoon We get all hot On honeymoons And throw our lot With gods and kings Who bind our beaks And smash our wings Then stuff us with Their bullish lies And pluck our young Before our eyes I hope you toast Your god or king Before your meal This Thanksgiving I hope you’re stuffed When you are done I hope your team It will have won Two minutes left Til sudden death When you’re that full, Hard to take breaths Or take a knee In solemn sight Of every head Itching to fight There, in the stands You’re circumscribed By gods and kings Who write your lives November, 2020