Tea party is great branding for organized
Sabotage begat of chafing at the whims
Of a (likely) syphilitic monarch, a dainty
Label to describe a bold and coordinated
Assault on the overreaching of overconfidence

Adept at mythology even prior to formation,
This still nascent country was stamped in the Valley
Forges of discontent, fires stoked by the righteous
Belief, however hypocritical, in the safety of human
Freedom from the ire and injustice of tyranny

These fundamental precepts were revolutionary for
Their moment in time, a philosophy gestating into
Framework for the birth of a nation, but not quite
Hiding the subjugation and covetousness that typified
The insecurities of the landed gentry holding power

Infantile squabbling almost led to national infanticide
But for courageous leadership and not a little luck
And yet even in the lee of a long internal struggle
The virtues for which America purported to stand
Were subsumed by its most base impulses for profit

America has been a relatively well-behaved child,
But it has never been great. Institutionalized oppression
Is not a hallmark of superiority, particularly when overlaid
With the crushing disconnect between stated values and
The reality of Jim Crow and trans-bashing and visceral hatred

It is hard to distinguish the repeating cycles of revolution
Typifying our history, which makes sense given that the very
Term describes an inescapable circularity, a wheel which
Spins interminably and carries us both closer to and farther
From our destiny with every turn, motion sickness the obvious result

Swept into office on an alleged tide of revolutionary fervor,
But in reality buoyed solely by the voluminous effluent
Of racist rancor and class anxiety, our current figurehead
Is an avowed and proud despot who has tricked his minions
Into believing he is a populist savior, an impressive sleight of hand

Under the banner of a purported mandate, Captain Dipstick has set about
Dismantling any opposition to his unbridled ego, an alleged strongman
Whose disposition is so weak that criticism hits like garlic to a vampire, a
Supposed genius who does not grasp basic concepts, a bully who is indeed
A coward, a businessman for whom everything is for sale, all of us included

Abetted by the wealthy and strange and strangely wealthy, an imposing Schutzstaffel
Fomenting fear and stifling dissent, creating the appearance of a weight from
Under which we cannot escape, the megalomaniac at the center has effectively
Frozen the populace into stasis, his daily chaos creating misdirection and
Preventing meaningful organization of the opposition, the critical counterpoise

If Trump wishes to engage in a Molotov-ian war of euphemisms, claiming bombs
As bread baskets, it is nigh time for him to drink the accompanying cocktail, to
Be subsumed by the ragtag but ubiquitous fires of justice, be deposed by a counterrevolution
Or counterx-revolution of diversity, equity, inclusion, exuberance, and kindness,
Completing the rotation back to original intent, if not original execution

Subtlety and decorum are typically important lodestars, but not in times of crisis,
Not when the opponent is winning the war with brash disregard and gleeful immorality
The high road is always effective, but it is hard to tread that path when it leads nowhere,
Although we have forebears who have shown us the way, martyred at the mantle
Of progress and revolution – we can be a little bit Martin and a little bit Malcolm

Churchill was no saint, indeed a great sinner, but he intuitively understood that combating
Evil requires extraordinary measures, temporary sacrifices of civility but never soul,
Energy beyond any reasonable reserves, brave action and noble intentions, dirty
Hands but no permanent stains, an unending reservoir of dedication to essential
Integrities, smiles in the face of difficulty, spit in the eyes of the enemies of good

Yes, they are our enemies – the era of principled disagreement is on hiatus,
Not by our choice, but by theirs, so a continued urge to pee into the wind is only
Going to end with wet faces.  It is now the epoch of ultimatum – uphold the core
Tenets of our Constitution or suffer the perilous consequences, be nice or suffer
The wrath of the people’s revolution, regardless of which “counter” we are counting.