On Thieves and Heroes (or, Twenty-Five Years and Forty-Seven Lies)

For twenty-five years, brisk demands 
For change, for moral politics - 
A reborn nation, confident 
That Justice can stand unafraid - 
Now finally claim centre stage 
Your avatar can claim his prize.

But look - what fateful compromise!
What cruel bargain - filth-stained hands! 
With faithless smiles, with hands aclasp
These erstwhile foes declare their pact
Amidst blithe claims of kingly seal 
Your "unity" swept all sins clean

And now you reap your poisoned fruit 
A bitter harvest for your sham 
And twenty-five years' promises 
Are trumped by forty-seven lies 
The deathly grin unmasked, unshamed 
Bears witness to your blotted vows

The thieves you pledged to overthrow
Walk lockstep with your heroes now.