Charles P. Ries on the Other Side of the
A Brief Nation
Saddam in his underwear.
(polyester briefs, screaming for freedom)
George Bush in his underwear.
(cowboys and Indians circling wagons)
Pope Benedict XVI in his underwear.
(red as a cardinal and chirping like a cherub)
Carl Rove in his underwear.
(fitting a little too tight for good circulation)
Bill Clinton in his underwear.
(Bill doesn’t wear underwear)
Antler The Poet in his underwear.
(fig leaf, for sure)
Me in my underwear.
(boxers, tartan plaid, size 32-34)
If we only wore underwear; kings, dictators,
presidents, bartenders, and my Uncle Art would
become as transparent as rain. They’d transcend
ideology for essence with nowhere to hide.
The fruit of the loom would be the coin of our
realm. Our dress would be the flag of a nation,
ruled by a king with no clothes.
© Copyright Charles P. Ries 2007