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The Diverted Imperium by Stewart Stafford
Welcome to my lush vineyard,
As we crush poison grapes,
Forcing that last vinegar sip,
Of this “first citizen’s” foul wine.
In spite of meeting in night's shade,
It is not the taint of shame's veil,
But a new dawning concealed,
Our hand to reveal in due course.
Fellow senators, my brethren!
Men of honour, and, you, Brutus;
The noblest of all at our gathering,
But your eyes are on yonder hill.
Our dreamer’s conference tonight:
Seeks sacrifice, not bloodlust;
A fly caught in Necessity’s web,
And, is no more, for that is Nature.
Stakes of the bear pit arranged,
A swift consumption of power,
Nipping retaliation in the bud,
Smoothing our ascendancy.
A patriot in a traitor's pall?
Liberty's stars in alignment
Or noose of the ill-omened?
History’s verdict in absentia.
The hand beneath the cloak
Shakes the dagger mightily,
Mercy’s coup de grâce stills,
Bloody tip to inked treaties.
Once the bloodshed has passed,
Martial backing shall follow,
And our regime commences,
The Imperium by right diverted.
© Stewart Stafford, 2023. All rights reserved.
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