undress the flesh and stare
down the corpse of liberated
speech incarnate. whispers emanate
from the taut rope, swaying
a withered, dermis enveloped

skeleton. i only witness deaths
metaphorically, beyond that,
there is failure. it comes

in humanity, in faith, in freedom;
someone who thinks they’re free
only when they’re repressed.
this notion is implicit in every deed
done in the name of democracy.

the fuhrer has a new face,
it has been decided. we put it
to a vote. the poll
is your dictator, and we control
it. say what you want,
but the gallows has the last laugh.