Electoral Abuse After William Wordsworth Calais, August 15 1802 Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

Festivals have I seen whose joyous names:
Turned sour as time took toll: election day
fair promise fails faced with crass quoldibet
which life dictator's power play proclaims
Our approbation starts with fun and games
soon palls as pals and croneys have their way
top-down corruptions spreads disease, dismay
from sea to sea, guilt prospers, freedom jail photo frames.
Though wheel turns much the same remains, some go,
some rise preceding fall from prouder climb;
ambition's senselessness to self seems crime!
Happy is he, who, caring not for Pope,
Dictatorship, abuse, stays sound can know
Man's destiny should, unbanned, expand in hope!

Festivals have I seen that were not names:
This is young Buonaparte's natal day,
And his is henceforth an established sway
Consul for life. With worship France proclaims
Her approbation, and with pomps and games.
Heaven grant that other Cities may be gay!
Calais is not: and I have bent my way
To the sea-coast, noting that each man frames
His business as he likes. Far other show
My youth here witnessed, in a prouder time;
The senselessness of joy was then sublime!
Happy is he, who, caring not for Pope,
Consul, or King, can sound himself to know
The destiny of Man, and live in hope.
William Wordsworth Calais

(29 February 2012)