I wake to the news
of Egyptian unrest
on calls for freedom
and democracy

The tid bits of awareness
fall like lies
About how the American president
is waking a thin line -
to support "our friends"
in power on one hand
and civil, human rights on the other.

The hole in my soul
is screaming at the TV
knowing that if some
unrest happened here -
in California -
there would be zero tolerance.

The tanks would roll out
the riot police
the National Guard

They would not allow
what they say other countries
have to do -
permit the People to demonstrate
especially if violence broke out

Kent state
times 1,000

Overthrow
could not happen here,
The 5 companies
that control all media information
wouldn't stand for it -
The illusion of representative
Democracy would shatter
and the corporate veil would lift
the Power exposed.

Marshall Law

Sir, yes sir!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PAMBAZUKA NEWS

* Jerry Danielsen is founder of the Los Angeles Poet's Press.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.