424 - Free speech

The nervous crowd that gathered in the square
Stood in the shade of marble generals
And bit their nails and garbled. Everywhere
It seemd they were being observed. The halls
And porticoes were guarded. The cobbles
Rang with the sound of boots. Then came a cheer
Just one at first, then growing like bubbles
Blown by a carefree child. Now freed from fear
The crowd buzzed and then fell silent. He's here
They thought. He will speak about the unfair
Oppression. He'll stand up for us. It falls
In the face of clear argument. A dear
And smiling face, arms outstretched. Into air
A hundred black birds launched from roofs and walls
Fri 2 Nov 2007