The 4th of June

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
That famous bit of poesy commemorates Guy Fawkes’ attempt to kill King James I and most of parliament as part of a conspiracy by a few Catholics to overthrow the Protestant rulers of England in 1605. [...]

For a Republic That Stands

Adrienne Rich, in Dark Fields of the Republic, writes
You were telling a story about war     it is our story
an old story     and still it must be told
the story of the new that fled the old
how the big dream strained and shifted
the ship of hope shuddered on the iceberg’s breast
the private affections swayed and staggered
So we [...]

Limerick of the Future, Schools Lacking Stimulus

 
In the long ago year of ‘09
The government provided free time
To teachers of schools
Professional fools
Saving bugets by leaving them behind
 
Republicans knew what we needed,
November had quickly receeded,
Money for teaching,
Young-people-reaching,
Could be dropped if they were just heeded
 
Teaching would clearly create no jobs
All those saying different were snobs
Liberal commies
Socialist mommies
Who voted for a Muslim in gobs
 
Old John [...]