(Representative) Democracy

Other than the troubling truth

that when put to the test
even the best of political systems
offer at most   only token resistance

to our warts-and-all world's
relentless  unrepentant thrust
to corrupt and pervert  virtuous intent

what on earth
              could democracy
                            possibly represent?


And who but the sitting-pretty
              upper-crust order-giving

respectably reprobate
power-hustling money-rustling class

and the deep state's fist-of-fate
psychopathic  puppet-master brass

              does it almost inevitably
                     eventually represent?


And always at who
              but John and Jane Q.'s
                            perpetual expense?