In the history of government
it doesn’t matter how they start out,
they always end the same way —
as a system where the venal
can game their way to power
and stay there regardless
of the label they choose to wear.
In the history of nations
it doesn’t matter how you love them,
they only love you back
a little, and only at certain times.
In the history of history
it doesn’t matter what happens,
only what is said about what happened
or did not happen, or is said
to have not happened.
I tell you these things
not to make you despair
or get you angry.
I tell you this
not to make you shrug
or to allow myself delight
at your learned helplessness — no,
I tell you this to let you know
battles are not won
as much as they become
games
to be replayed.
You will
lose some,
and win some,
and some of us
will die playing
while some
will kill while playing.
There are no nations
but two:
the strugglers and the lords,
and both are everywhere
and speak all languages.
In the history of humans
there’s dancing and loving
and making of art and music,
good sweat, grand tears,
and a lot of laughter,
but you should not confuse their sources
with history and nation and government.
If you want to pursue happiness,
chase it but always recall
that history and nation and government
pursue happiness too,
and they do it, always,
by chasing you.