For sure, it cannot mean what I say,

folks.

It’s just a manner of speaking,

polit-speke chicanery

the survival necessity of the moment,

idealistic naïveté or poetic liberty.

Sometimes we need to let off steam,

or just react, blurt out, play, lose focus.

 

Once it was understood to correspond

with an intention - which, in turn

was supposed to be sincere

in good faith, even honourable;

worth listening to and to be considered.

To stand up before others, witnessed and relied upon, character-dependant;

even respected and implemented.

 

Now, it seems that a commitment,

an agreement or signed treaty

private or otherwise, spoken or written

all mean nothing.

Rule by edict, trade with fake motive

are our remaining transactional resort

and communication strategy.

implying  bribe, threat, coercion, lies -

the actual meaning of Truth, forgotten.

Tell children we don’t mean what we say  - not to run across the road, a joke.

Show the general public law and order

only applies as suits.

Tell the people their principles are false,

and transparency is a trick that applies

only to the opposition and competition.

 

Where is the respect, folks?