First Gong Vol. 8: Thrust FIRST GONG 8 THRUST | Page 27

In return For the security of fellowship Yet Here we are At the gates Of our sovereign Beggars of the realm Lamenting The choices of our forebears Who would believe We were once rulers In our own right? Did we not gather The other day To witness another celebration Of our National disgrace In this land devoid of grace? The crown prince took another wife One amongst many A complement To the growing harem Yet None stood to talk No one dared mention The fledging hunger in the land Or point out the bloated countenance Of our ruler's face In contrast To the pale haggardness Of his impoverished subjects In our apathy We sustain the malady Of our ill-fated pseu-democracy 27