In a world where unprotected justice is just another manipulative tool
those who believe in blind justice look increasingly like naive fools
where chaos replaces transparency with the purpose of obscuring truth
evidence based learning falls from aspiration, to work fragmented and moot
when lies are an accepted part of political discussion for misuse
the power lies with those who societal values they readily abuse
if public denigration of dissent is a routine weapon of discourse
then know ye that they will come for you too by threat as well as force
if wealth and appearance are the only currency around
the majority may well end up in position genuflecting from the ground
if deceit tricks and hacks are permitted to taint the heart of democracy
then notional democracy becomes yet another self defeating fallacy
and the corrupt, malign and unread will rule over every land
empowered by the inevitable sycophants and their militarised bully bands
The poetics prompt for we dVerse poets https://dversepoets.com/2025/08/12/dverse-poetics-tuesday-power/ comes from the deep thinking Lisa this week. It is topical, omnipresent and scary – as it has been throughout history. Is it worse today than in past eras? I am not sure I can make an absolute statement about that. However, with the likes of social media and AI now available as part of the dissembling and propaganda mix I suspect it is to become so.
I cannot resist a more personal comment about two principled men from Australia’s political history who I believe represented the antithesis to the forms of abuse of power described in my poem above. Two men whose democratic modelling, and leading of social justice and cultural reforms could be learned from by many leadership figures engaged in the power plays of today. My father Race Mathews with his friend, colleague & mentor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
poetography.ink 
Chaos and lies… what an apt description how power is abused… how can we find an antidote?
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I think the antidote is good quality education and more equitable distribution of wealth so that people can make sensible informed decisions and can afford to take time out to be their own advocates.
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I consider your post required reading!!! Thank you for adding the personal comment.
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Thank you Helen. I sometimes wonder whether it is a good idea to be personal?
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Sean I think we are there, at the pinnacle evil manipulations. I do think social media and AI have compounded it.
I do appreciate your personal share. Your dad was friends with the Prime Minister, and if anyone would know the heart of another it was be one’s good friend.
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If I had my way every child would get an excellent free education so they could grow up to be excellent critical thinkers and see through all the bullshit.
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Sean, maybe if enough of us diligently pray for it, it will come to pass. Thoughts matter! Parents can teach their children critical thinking skills and also how to speak up.
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