at what price
trying to calculate the cost of intangibles
is a fool’s errand on a good day
wasting everyone’s time and attention
when both could be better spent
improving the lives of all citizens
of the place we claim as home
but in yet another urgent,
begging-for-my-scant-change email,
i find that freedom still has a price
though it seems to fluctuate
with mood and argument
today, the low, low price
of freedom and democracy
is a mere three dollars (american)
rushed to some online entity
that wants to hold three other entities
‘accountable for cowardice’
in an upcoming election
and me? i’m just callous enough
to believe that it will take more
than three portraits of george
to stem the torrent of disregard
that currently sweeps through
our highest halls of power