The president

They say that
           the president likes to get drunk
they say that
           he was educated abroad
they say that
           his habits are from abroad
they say that
           his tastes are from abroad
and they say that
           the president likes to get drunk

He appears on tv
           glassy eyes that fail to focus
anywhere, on anyone
           The camera does not dwell
long enough for us to realize
           if his hands are trembling
if his lips are slobbering
           rancid drooling drips :
but
           his glassy eyes
fail to notice anything
           fail to notice anyone
and the moment we hear his words
           we realize
why it is
           -absolutely-
that the president
           likes to get drunk

John Lyons