They come together

                in this place outside

yet at the centre of our world.

We have asked of them

                our destiny

Have demanded nothing of them

                except our future.

Who are these gods in whom we place our trust?

Who are these gods that we have selected?

                These are the senate that we once elected:

The senators that serve a mighty ruling role.

Are these our lawgivers?

Yes, we voted!

 

They come together

                in this place outside

yet at the centre of our world.

And what mischief there is wrought!

                Will we never learn:

Any company drawn from our world will

                like that world contain

                a sample of all our shades?

Yet we wonder at their insufficience

                gasp in horror at malfeasance

We come to know that we are governed either

by the fallible or the foolish

For whom we voted!

 

They come together

                in this place outside

yet at the centre of our world.

Are we so careless

                of our guardians:

These angels that we charge

                to keep us in all our ways?

Again and again, our hopes are dashed

What higher power can ensure

                That only the good endure?

Who will guard the guards themselves?

What moral high ground can we now take

When we voted?