Inspiration flags for two old powers;
A Giant of Ancient Times,
A Giant of Modern Times --
Who Blew Smoke into the Atmosphere?

Two leaders with questioned validity
Much beloved at home by some of their countrymen
For their bearing and education.
Will the future be pretty?

When they stop fighting, will We the People
still have our future in hand?
Who are these corporations and
Which old country spawned the yonder steeple?

A perfect friend: warm, modest, caring, engaged.
Ruthless sometimes, they say, when need be...
So when things go wrong and we must hurry,
What will these two do when they become enraged?

Pray for the best. These weapons are a sword
with two narrow blades and cannot cut
but instead will make a large hole but
What is this taking us toward?

Two men and their women. Two countries
and fifteen dozen more of the U.N.
must weigh the future and then
Since we are the smaller power, appease?