‘Regime Change’: A Poem by James A. Tweedie

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Regime Change

Banana republics are known for how they
Take power from rulers and give it away
To those who the country’s Deep State might prefer—
Regardless of whether the people concur.

Regime-change transitions can sometimes seem deft,
While behind the scenes it’s more rightly called theft.
And like an ice sculpture, such things when they thaw,
Are better described by the words, “coup d’etat.”

Such coups only happen in faraway places,
In countries whose leaders are mental health cases.
But nothing that crass, crude, conniving or drear
Could ever, no never, of course, happen here.

If someone attempted a coup we’ll dismount them
With paperless ballots and trust those who count them.
We’ll vote by computer, we can’t live without them.
They’re safe and secure so there’s no need to doubt them.

Our system is air-tight, transparent and free,
Our politics honest as honest can be.
“In God is our trust,” we are wont to declare,
Our Justice wears blindfolds, elections are fair.

It’s racist if ever a law should decree
That signatures match or we show an ID.
The same goes for voting rolls, nothing to see,
And it’s de rigueur when we vote absentee.

Let one party choose who our leader will be.
Call citizens felons if they disagree.
Let aliens vote, to deny them is wrong.
Don’t worry, be happy, let’s all get along.

“Progressive,” “Deplorable,” choose which you want to be.
One or the other, our new woke reality.

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James A. Tweedie is a retired pastor living in Long Beach, Washington. He has written and published six novels, one collection of short stories, and four collections of poetry including Sidekicks, Mostly Sonnets, and Laughing Matters, all with Dunecrest Press. His poems have been published nationally and internationally in both print and online media. He was honored with being chosen as the winner of the 2021 SCP International Poetry Competition.