Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

He stands there before us
Reading from a carefully scripted syllibus
As he proclaims for all to hear;
“While we have hope, no need to fear.

Listen my children as I say
Tomorrow will be a better day
All that is necessary is that you do as I wish
Regardless of how it may seem, to some, evilish.

For I and I alone know
How to make the sorrows go
Just trust me and abide
By me and my workers, eventide.”

*****

We’ve heard him say this time and time again
A broken record without end
The pot from which he dishes
Grows cold with his never ending promises.

****

Who is this one who stands before the lectern
One who has not experienced poverty or governing.
Knowing only how to go on promising to those who want to play,
Taking from those whose fortunes shrink each day.

****

The curtain is transparent now
As the magic has escaped into the thin blue air
And reveals for all to see
That it’s the tider of misery.

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