One Man, Strong Rule. Poem by Tor Magnor Solvang

One man stands, he holds the reins,
An autocrat, in sun and rain.
He says the word, and things are done,
His power is vast, for everyone.

But near to him, a darker shade,
A rule of force, unfairly made.
Dictatorship, a heavy hand,
Across the land, a barren sand.

No voice is heard, but his alone,
No seeds of freedom can be sown.
He shuts the mouths, he blinds the eyes,
With fear he rules, and stifles cries.

An autocrat's grip, a single hold,
Dictator's reign, a story told.
Of power gained, and freedom lost,
A heavy price, a bitter cost.

They twist the truth, they hide the light,
And keep the people in the night.
One claims to guide, the other to own,
Leaving the hearts of people turned to stone.


Tor M. Solvang