Two Poems
Paul Burgess

Demagoguery for Dummies: Lying with Impunity

When caught in bold, apparent lies,
just look accusers in the eyes
and flash a grave, offended frown
while digging in to double down.

When people say they’ve gotten proof,
declare their sources stand aloof
from all that’s decent, true, or fair
and freeze them with an icy stare.

Then take their claims and throw them back
and wear them out with your attack.
Their armor takes no time to rend.
They came to charge and not defend.

Insist they envy all your fame
and labor hard to smear your name.
To get the mob to take your side,
appeal to people’s sense of pride.

Convince them that their brains are wired
to see the way your foes conspired
and other folks are not as smart
or simply play the villain’s part.

What’s true will shortly be defined
in only ways you have in mind.
Their truth’s not worth a bag of beans
because you’ll change what “honest” means.

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Published in The New Verse News, 2025

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On the Trumpoline

He told them, “Jumping on the Trumpoline
will line your pockets full of folding green,”
but while he bounces up and down with glee
the only change in cost my eyes can see
is soaring rates on fueling stations’ pumps
increasing every time His Highness jumps.

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Light Poem of the Week, 2026

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Paul’s notes: “Midterm elections seems like a good time to share a couple of political pieces.

“‘Demagoguery for Dummies’ was supposed to be funny, but I couldn’t find much to laugh about and didn’t see much of a difference between the attempt at satire and the real behavior being satirized. However, I’ve always liked playing with tone and experimenting with the contrast between style and content, so I like this piece even though it didn’t turn out the way I’d expected.

“‘On the Trumpoline’ is one of the last political poems I’ve managed to keep somewhat light, and I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to share it as a Light Poem of the Week. I’m less thrilled that events have kept the piece relevant despite the passing of so many news cycles.”

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Paul Burgess is the sole proprietor of a business in Lexington, Kentucky that offers ESL classes in addition to English, Japanese, and Spanish-language translation and interpretation services. He has recently contributed work to Blue Unicorn, The Road Not Taken, Light, Apricity, Star*Line, The Orchards, Snakeskin, Pulsebeat, and several other publications. Recently, he has had poems nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Best of the Net.

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Two Poems Paul Burgess

Two Poems
Paul Burgess