My Dear Democracy

My Dear Democracy: You Look Better in Chains

> My dear democracy...

You were too wild, too noisy, too unpredictable.

So I dressed you in silence

and told you it was strength.

> I broke your fourth estate

and built a stage.

I turned your judges into echoes.

Your parliaments into playlists.

> I taught your citizens

that questioning is treason

and obedience is love.

> You used to shout across the floor.

Now you whisper in jails.

You used to elect

Now you worship.

> I didn’t kill you, no.

I gave you a costume.

I let you breathe — just enough

to keep pretending you’re alive.

> But I see it.

In the streets.

In a tear shed by an old woman

who remembers when leaders used to listen.

> You’re not dead yet.

Just gagged.

And somewhere,

someone’s already writing your second birth.