'Children Should Be Seen

and not heard' was a victorian belief
about how middle class families
should deport themselves at home,
based upon Queen Victoria's meal time
behavior, particularly after Albert died.
In the late 20th century I lived
in the shadow of such deportment.
All too late in life did I recognise
that the phrase actually meant 'children
should be watched and not listened to',
and with that how parents were deaf
to themselves, blind to their appearance.

As I relearnt the phrase it informs very well
how I see governments' see their citizens
in representative democracies.
The voting proles have to be watched,
their opinion massaged into submission
by financial stick and carrot.
The better that come elections they care,
and their ministers not appear like them
-powerless in their anonymity until angry.