Poets Against War continues the tradition of socially engaged poetry by creating venues for poetry as a voice against war, tyranny and oppression.
Demian
57 years old
Seattle, WA
Video/filmmaker, writer, photographer, puppet maker, Web site programmer, and rabbit wrangler. -- “Hey, Citizen” is a street theater piece. It is meant to be performed by two oversized puppets. It can be recited by the puppeteers or by others. Please contact for performance permission: Demian, Box 9685, Seattle, WA 98109; demian@buddybuddy.com
Hey, Citizen
Emperor: Hey, citizen, heed the wisdom I dispense. You’re so lucky to be in my presence.
Citizen: All the Way! Wow, it’s the emperor. O.K.!
Emperor: Listen up, I got a job for you to toil. My oil interests need protecting on foreign soil.
Citizen: What say? Will not solar and wind power play?
Emperor: Be a good little grunt and pack your duffel. It’s your patriotic duty, get goin’, shuffle.
Citizen: To go away? Leave home today?
Emperor: It won’t take long, and you get a decoration. I can use all the soldiers from ’round the nation.
Citizen: Unless gay. Or sick, or old and gray.
Emperor: If you’re not with me, you must be terrorism incarnate. Don’t hesitate, I am your dully-elected head of state.
Citizen: No way, it was a high court power play. Emperor, you have feet of clay.
Emperor: You’re like all others who sympathize with the foe. First in my computers, then to my prisons you will go.
Citizen: Have you tried alternatives, like real diplomacy, say? Or would you toss the constitution and bill of rights away?
Emperor: No matter how much peace mongering you contrive. Citizen, now you are the wanted, dead or alive.
