Who's Laughing Now?

In the dim and distant past rulers were absolute.
History made the rulers' subjects
appear to be abject in their submission.

Rulers found light relief from decision making
through the  character of their jesters and fools,
and the many pets they kept as familiars.

Now, in the rich west, 'democracy'
has replaced the ancient autocracies.

Our leaders and representatives
are near enough to us for us to write to them,
and read lots about them in the popular press.
We can join the parties that produce these great leaders.

But there is little to be gained
from being just one small voice
among many in local party meetings.

In truth 99.9 % of us are are now more distant from power
than the clowns pets and jugglers were from the king's ear.
.