All the weeds
Have taken over
What used to be
(A beautiful garden)

Stolen
A missing manhole cover
Could very well be
Our pre-1994 dreams
(Of democracy for all)

Damaged
Brickwork and part
Of the fence
Could very well be
The reputations of those
Who once were warriors

Stripped
No fittings for lights
Could very well be
The country’s assets
Looted for self
Family and friends

Missing
Parts of the surrounding fence
To the Union Buildings
Could very well be
Missing in action
Our moral compass
That is

Complaints about the state of Union Buildings
The article is headed
(Captions boldly in upper case
Accompanying the images)

Could very well be
The state
Of your street

Could very well be
The state
Of your state