To the editor:

America’s more than an empty red hat

And a pomp-loving man with an empty, swollen head

A monarchy here? We rebelled against that.

Attack and attack, and disregard facts;

Tell all the bald lies by which millions are led

But America’s more than an empty red hat.

The guardrails are gone, the vigilant sacked:

Gerrymandered voters couldn’t care less, it’s said.

But a monarchy here? We rebelled against that.

What binds us together keeps us intact

When truth is in tatters, is the rule of law dead?

America’s more than an empty red hat.

Masked agents and menace, broken social contract

How MAGA’s grim messages fill me with dread.

But a monarchy here? We rebelled against that.

Make America great again, fight; take it back.

Shun MAGA’s track; there are despots up ahead.

America’s more than an empty red hat

A monarchy here? We rebel against that.

James Benedict Kobak Jr.

Keene Valley