WEBVTT

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We were also talking
about political poems.

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And this is a poem
called Presidents,

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which was written some years
ago but might just as well have

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been written.

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The president of shame
has his own flag.

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The president of lies quotes the
voice of God as last counted.

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The president of loyalty
recommends blindness

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to the blind.

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Oh applause like the
heels of the hanged.

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He walks on eyes until
they break, then he rides.

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There is no president of grief.

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It is a kingdom, ancient,
absolute with no colors.

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Its ruler has never seen.

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Prayers look for him, also
empty flags like skins.

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Silence the messenger runs
through the vast lands

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with a black mouth open.

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Silence the climber
falls from the cliffs

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with a black mouth like a call.

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There is only one subject but
he is repeated tirelessly.

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