politics of perception/ politics of deception

Many faces, one name


Ah, so now we must sully
our hands
at the dirty
game of politics
Alright if we must
May the match begin

Politics
the scoundrel’s last resort, they all say
So must one first be a scoundrel
to qualify
for play?

Politics
is everywhere, say the feminists
Then where do we begin
if we’re talking
fair play?

Scoundrel
Everywhere
Is this really about politics
or empty poetics?

Perhaps
some specifics
are in order
Rules, some would say
definitions, would say others

Where
million voices
poor, hungry, thirsty
beyond propaganda
manipulative agenda
go one way

When
thousand feet
march, run, rush
holding banners
against war, hunger and pain
speak as if one

How
free speech
elections
media
left, rights and wrongs
add up

Which
sometimes work
sometimes don’t
Oh yes, examples
or counter-examples, shall we say

BJP routed in India
Not much changed in America
Justice in Ukraine
Fight still on in Chechnya
IMF, ADB, World Bank still going strong
Peoples’ movements still around

And that is why
I work on what I work
And I write what I do
Voicing, critiquing
Opinions, interpretations
Here

That
Is
Also
Democracy

May the vote begin!