THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

Orange is Not a Colour, 2025

The enemies of the state wrap themselves in hate selling common sense like it's a flag, condemning liberty to control by their kind and no one else. See how they throw out garbage and say what a mess the place is. The enemies of the state are mad, go to bed mad, wake up mad, and insist on what needs to be done for them to stay mad. Listen how they talk, how they say society needs to be clean, clear and strong and then humiliate decency with a dirty, murky weakness for racism, weapons and the need to punish anyone who’s not like them. The enemies of the state thrive in extremes, pushing their propaganda, their dissatisfaction, insisting the world should be one way and pointing out wherever it’s not, calling the compassionate parts of society false and traitorous. Feel their betrayal, how they promise to protect law, tradition and democracy and then do everything but. The enemies of the state act like a cult, worshipping symbols and leaders who create conflict, who destroy the mutual respect a society needs to flourish. Taste the bitterness they leave behind, how never in history, not once, have the radical reforms of a cult-like movement fostered a single era of social harmony or a lasting economic boom. The enemies of the state insist they know what is right for the people, offering progress through religion, nostalgia and isolation. Smell how that rots the connections, the cooperation, the joy needed for the roots of any change, any growth, to take hold. The enemies of the state think this poem is about them, hurt they’ve been denied their moment, their turn, for so long, without ever wondering why. Their truths, their lies, overwhelm the senses, that’s how they flip worlds upside down.

The enemies of the state are the enemy of the people. We, the people, are the state and we must speak out every day to protect our liberty. Only by keeping us quiet, cut-off, scared, concerned for our safety, can the enemies of the state ever have their way.