Pantomime (Poetry)

God hates a raging hypocrite
the whole world loathes a liar
while each side of the ocean wide
grows freedom’s funeral pyre

The law’s a stubborn donkey
much too slow and cruelly bent
democracy’s a fantasy —
no telling where it went

And if ever love existed
as the sixties swore it did
it’s gone the way of happiness
now hope has surely slid

into the arms of sheer despair
good feeling all but lost
the memory a tricksy beast
subdued at any cost

The papers feed us daily fear
then throw some plastic bone
the dogs of war sit up and beg
the peaceful lie alone

Whatever horrors are ahead
the pantomime goes on
just toss some pennies in the tin
the best has been and gone