Unpheasant

(on Dick Cheney's accidental shooting of hunting partner, Harry Whittington, Feb. 11, 2006)

Under the influence, primal instinct
Comes to the surface, and in Cheney's case,
Having imbibed that alcoholic drink,
It was to shoot a liberal in the face.

It also was the workaholic's curse,
That, offered recreation to unwind,
Instead his weekday labors would rehearse,
The murderous schedule of daily grind.

Like smart bombs dropped from high above the ground,
The shot from Cheney's blunderbuss assailed.
Narcotic numbness nudged the deadly round,
Collateral damage aiming for a quail.

Sobriety makes no difference though, it seems,
When killer inclinations are inbred.
Dick needs no booze to lubricate his schemes
When drunkenness of power will do instead.

February 2006