the brown bag prophet
and
several of his cronies
were in the city park
playing
political-guess-who
the prophet
said
clue #1
deliberately and repeatedly
abuses the rights of citizens
there was
a deafening silence
that
followed the first clue
which
is understandable
given
the conditions in many countries
these days
clue#2
systematically represses
and
criminalizes opposition parties
all the while
encouraging the use
of
force
against demonstrators
and
the press
once again
there was nothing but silence
also
not too surprising
given
conditions in the arab world
and
beyond into africa
clue #3
aspires illegitimately
to usurp
the constitutional role
of
democratically elected officials
rewrite the constitution
and
impose an authoritarian regime on the people
another useless clue
given
this pandemic characteristic
of
governments
these days
clue # 4
has mismanaged the economy
and
engaged in systemic corruption
as well as
refused to provide
humanitarian aid
finally it hit me
oh for god’s sake people
it’s maduro
the prophet
turned
and
said
clue # 5
think closer to home
