By Bob Gaydos

You’ve heard of the ride of Paul Revere?

One if by land, two if by sea?

The British are coming …?

Forget it. They’re here.

 

The tea to be dumped

Is a rodent named Trump.

A king, in his eyes.

On a throne built on lies

and fear and anger and lust

and greed.

 

I’ve got mine is his line.

I want yours is his screed.

 

So rally the troops

And take to the streets.

For no kings shall we have

in this land of the free.

Nor rich man’s tax cuts and tariffs

On tea.

No kings, hear us sing,

Shall we ever abide in this land of the free.

 

And pray, please remember, be strong,

but be wise.

Do not smile or sing till you see the whites of their eyes.

They’ll be wearing red hats, possibly masks

or military guise.

‘Tis a sham, a charade, a fearful display

which their belligerence belies.

 

Not at midnight comes this ride

to echo Revere,

But at high noon across the land, so that

all the world should hear.

 

Our country, ‘tis of thee,

sweet land of liberty.

Of thee we sing.

 

In this land of the free,

we shall have no king.

####

With respect and apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.