Poetry from Patricia Doyne

IT’S NOT US, IT’S YOU

America’s neighbors to the north think the U.S. is a bigger

threat to world peace than Russia.” — Politico Poll, 2/19/26

The poll was bleak. Canadians now see

the U.S., the whole country, in decline. 

They look at Trump. “You knew what he was like,”

they say. “His COVID lies, his insurrection…

Then, even after multiple convictions,

your voters chose him for a second term.”

So Trump’s a symptom of a point of view

that’s traded decency for short-term gains.

Voters thought his policies would hurt

others, not themselves. When prices rose

for food, for health care, gas;  when ICE showed up

and nabbed their neighbors, fired on citizens;

when Trump was named in Epstein’s steamy files—

there’s shock! Some mea culpas. Not revolt. 

Usurping roles of Congress and Supreme Court;

unleashing armies on his enemies–

abroad, at home, at whim; building mass jails—

we all can see what’s coming. Who rebels?

Who demands we take back ownership

from Trump’s sly puppeteers? Who rises up

and thunders, “No! You can’t seize Canada”? 

Too many shrug—and watch democracy

dismantled, step by step. A nation weak

and rotting from within. Self-serving. Blind. 

Incapable of ousting a bad leader

because a full third of the country’s voters

still see him as der fuhrer, cheer him on. 

The whole world’s watching– tense, on edge, dismayed—

knowing that the USA’s demise

will shake world order to its very core.

When did democracy stop working? Why?
Copyright 3/2026           Patricia Doyne

LEAP BEFORE YOU LOOK 

The PresIdent turns the faucet handle–

lives spill out—foot soldiers, disposable. 

A steady flow go down the drain, vanish into earth.

War powers: bullying with bombs and bombast! 

But now the public’s questioning his judgement.

He thought a show of force would faze Iran.

Heavy missile strikes, dead Ayatollah–

Then take a break to play a game of golf, 

post tweets, chastise reporters. 

Threaten more bombs– watch Iran cave in,

and offer oil deals just to make us stop.

What? It didn’t work?  Recalculate.

Iran’s new leader’s eager for revenge.

NATO allies roll their eyes, won’t help

to make the Strait of Hormuz safe again. 

At home, redacted names swirl in a cloud

above the Epstein mess—those damning files. 

In Congress, stooges get cold feet, have doubts.

The price of gas out-gouges groceries. 

MAGA support is springing leaks. Some flip.

So look ahead. Secure the next elections! 

Design a bill to save Republicans.

Get rid of libs– those whose married names

don’t match birth certificates, or passports.

There go problem voters down the drain–

along with mail-in ballots.  It’s a win!

Don’t let oil dependency derail you.

Promise to fix everything.  Blame windmills. 

Blame Obama, immigrants, and “woke.” 

Prevent networks from airing wartime news,

but flex expensive military muscle. 

Raise those sagging polls. Impress the world–

Lie by lie.

Threat by threat.

Bomb by bomb. Copyright 3/2026               Patricia Doyne

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