An empire built on enslavement
conquering and plunder
striving to maintain order
via censorship in a  modern milieu
the irony isn't lost on me
watched the news today
a self declared expert
cited a rather lengthy inventory of  mass murders
a veritable host of troubled people
he seemed well informed
but half dead inside
as if something was  internally devouring him
an expert in stolid stage craft  
oblivious to his self inflicted harm
until he watched the playbacks that evening
pretending, posturing, play-acting, contrived concerns
now  collapsed in a fit on the floor
groveling pitiful fragment
vomiting  bourbon tears
out of sight, above detection
by them
the watchers
tomorrow, a different city
another "shooting spree"
another interview
another barren bereft onslaught of absurd rhetorical questions
hand ringing, and staged pandering consolations
another pallid parroting reporter who thanks you for "tuning in."
"next up, Sports!"