[John Isbell]

Lying Eyes


Your lying eyes will tell you this is all
preposterous, obscene; that Donald Trump
and his attendants are a carnival
of theft, deceit, and treason; that they jump

to humor tyrants and demean the free
on the world stage; to redistribute wealth
into their cronies’ pockets; publicly
to back a pedophile, and to bring stealth

only to breaking every promise made
as they mine the republic. You would not
be listening. A smiling cavalcade
will ease your troubled mind, if now the plot

escapes you, you have second thoughts. The brain
is no unsleeping organ; let it sink
back into stupor. You may vote again
before you die, that’s all you need to think.

5.xii.2017