Failed states

Stale fates in failed states
In stalemates with hale hates.

Unequal wealth, unequal health,
Unequal rights for serfs and knights.

The worth of salt, the worth of sand;
The worst default, a dearth of land.

Today’s sorrows, desires clash;
Today’s empires, tomorrow’s ash.

The hardest reigns, the tautest chains,
The tamest beasts, northwestsoutheasts.

A chartered place, a gartered race,
A bartered lease, a martyred peace.

The seed of hope, a timely trope;
The story arcs, amusement parks.

Stale ideals on splintered wheels
On crumbling roads with weary loads.

Male mirages, entourages,
Cruel collages, brisk barrages.

Ice-cube castles, cunning vassals,
Vying currents, themes recurrent.

Policy-makers, butchers, bakers;
Signatory, death or glory.

Cattle-herder, mange and moult;
Attempted murder, rise, revolt.

Condemned creations, foiled fates,
Attempted nations, failed states.

Appears in:
Rhymes for all times [2015]