A Frightening Place (à la Seuss)

When a tyrant arose in a land of the free--

Let's say name began with a "T"--

The people who actually voted him in

Began to experience one word: chagrin.

At one time the public had been swept away

By most of the things that the man had to say.

To some of the people his words were outlandish;

One NEVER knew what verbal sword he would brandish.

He'd call his opponent a fake or a liar.

Whoever disliked him would come under fire.

What started out being reluctant endurance--

And frankly was not an uncommon occurrence--

Became what you'd call blind allegiance to him.

The general climate became rather grim.

Could he be a champion for all dispossessed

People who suffered? No, he was obsessed

With his power and authoritarian rule.

He certainly didn't pick them up in school.

How he hated the critics who called him a con

And pretended to be a handsome Don Juan!

Most people obviously found that amusing,

Except for the ones who devoured his schmoozing.

He claimed that he loved and admired his nation

But stressed in his speeches its sad deprivation.

He believed that the president needed more power

And he also thought he was the man of the hour.

How did the man with no grasp of history

Make it that far? 'Twas really a mystery.

Also, the man had no impulse control.

Who said the devil possessed the man's soul?

When asked about torture he smiled, saying that

He'd implement it at the drop of a hat.

The fear soon became so widespread in that land

As some of the people were hounded or banned.

The clueless ones quietly stood by and let

Their liberties undergo threat after threat.

The man's main appointees were so out of touch!

But people learned not to expect very much.

With the other political parties divided--

It was not a wise move, they later decided--

This madman deluded the country and managed

To let the land's national psyche be damaged.

There turned out to be a lot of distress in

That land that had needed a history lesson.

Life becomes scary and cruel and slanted

When dangerous things become taken for granted.

Just hope that your country will always beware

And not let this horrible thing happen there.*

 

(5-22-16)

*Inspired by an article in The New Yorker, by Adam Gopnik, May 20, 2016