Have you been listed
by those who decide
such weighty matters
however the way
they do the deciding

(the people’s will
the will of the people
the people willing
in democracy’s name)

Have you been listed
on that weighty scroll
all drawn up and ready

to go forth
smiling like
grinning away like
the proverbial cat

to go forth
from the people
to the people

(that Indo-Chinese mantra
made no mention of being
first at the feeding trough)

did you have to
apply your mind
making an application
on the relevant form

ticking off
that which is
appropriate
to the party
to the people

(the party’s people
the people’s party
the Chosen Ones
the Special Ones)

might this not
weigh on you

and weigh you down