On the occasion of Putin’s state of the nation address after a year of war in Ukraine

Putin did a little speech
The audience looked pretty shot
But sat and listened to him preach
Because they had to. Looked a lot
Like statues, as if some had died
Already, some were nearly dead
And some were simply dead inside
A rictus smile stuck on a head
And on he ranted, on and on
As one by one they fell like flies
Upon the floor - another gone
And then another - in their eyes
Was only darkness. Clear the floor
Said Putin, and then bring me more

© Gail Foster 21st February 2023