Ode to the RNC (a commentary on the Republican National Convention, New York City, 2004) Even within the bowels of the subway, The din of helicopters overhead Their dismal drumbeat to the people sounded, Mechanized doom [1] to fear, the state to dread. Sampling champagne and caviar meanwhile, The leaders with their moneyed friends above, The Times, and mainstream mingling media, As clanging cymbals chimed in without love. [2] In righteous masquerade [3] the party partied, The wags of Wall Street swaggered and wisecracked As skulls of disenchanted dissidents By ire pounded on the sidewalks cracked. Skins seared by burning chemicals, they languished In darkened gulags [4] while to camera lights The proud nonpresident from pulpit preached Of liberty and democratic rights. Sept. 2, 2004   [1]      A phrase coined by Ernest Hemingway in 'For Whom The Bell Tolls'. [2]      1 Corinthians 13:1 [3]      2 Corinthians 11:13-15 [4]      Gulag: "the central administrative department of the Soviet security service, established in 1930, responsible for maintaining prisons and forced labour camps." (The Collins English Dictionary).