Another Political Year

Twisting vagaries abound
With unearned accusations,
Emphatic denials,
False pasted-on smiles
And insistent words
Carefully formatted
To say as little as possible.
Welcome to a political year
When those we might elect
Predictably tell us
Exactly what we are hoping
To hear.

Berating while debating
Scoring pointed jabs
With both outright attack
And lifetime wounds
With sly innuendo.
The shameless din
Rises to a deafening
And often sickening
Crescendo.

Another political year
When we are lobbied
To feel trembling fear
Of the opposition.
That is always
The predictable position.

Said to be our very best,
Only election puts them
To a meaningful test
Which most of them fail;
Who would have guessed?

In another political year
They say they want us to care
But be advised: Please take note.
All they really want
Is your vote.