Our democracy is but a century young;
In this our supposèd land for the free.
Yet now our liberty dies ere it’s begun.
Killed by those who launder our diction’ry.
Our ID belongs to the state and we pay.
We have nought to fear who have nought to hide.
Good citizens prove who they are day by day,
So, good proles, carry your card with pride.
The database state grants who we are;
And this database will record where you go;
Letting the state track you both near and far.
This database is good; the state says it’s so.
It is we who must lift a torch to the fading light;
Ere our childrens’ children be slaves in the long dark night.
Longrider. April 2006.