Contemplating the distance
to their planned shining city on the hill.
Calculating what it would take to build
a broad road to it, broad enough
for all manner of comfortable vehicles
(and a very small amount
of super ambitious and lucky foot traffic
just to make it seem accessible to all);
trying to determine how much gas
will be needed, how much coal
will be required to power it once
all who will fit have arrived;
then,
once the numbers are firm,
putting all their plans into
the passive voice.
Roads will be built, walls will be built,
coal will be mined, oil refined;
order will be established and maintained
and if threatened will be defended and
enforced.
Not bothering to ask the unspoken question
behind those circumlocutions:
who will do all that?
Knowing the answer already.
Looking directly at you with a cold dare in their eyes.
