they said we wouldn’t be mocked
they said they had law and order clocked
they said that our security would be unlocked
they said that only violent criminals were blocked
what they said ain’t what they meant—you shocked?
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, January 30, 2026.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: January 30th, 2026 08:33
- Comment from author about the poem: I’m published in an anthology featuring authors from across the Poconos, PA. All proceeds benefit the Pocono Liars Club — a collective of authors and editors dedicated to supporting and mentoring local writers. Available in paperback and Kindle, please consider purchasing one and supporting a great cause. https://a.co/d/58uxM69
- Category: Sociopolitical
- Views: 26
- Users favorite of this poem: cellinic, Mutley Ravishes, rebellion_in_sanity, Salvia.S
Offline)
Comments6
Got the message my friend it comes through loud and clear but then so were many laws and treaties that were dumped, ignored and denied. If one can deny what is clearly written on paper how much easier to deny what was only words and words are only worth what they cost and up till now they have not found a way to charge for them. You say in poetic terms the key that should unlock memory of the reader, but then some reader's locks are rusted and corroded from lack of use. Political promises most of them lawyers, once the money is received things change and like a used car dealer's guarantee it is only good until you take the keys. Well done Tristan a powerful piece
Soren, thank you for engaging it so thoughtfully. From broken treaties to rusted memory, you name how easily promises decay once profit and power enter the frame. 💯 If the poem offers a key, your comment shows why some doors are so hard to open. I’m grateful for the read and the affirmation, my friend.. 🗣️🔒🌫️🙏
You are most welcome
Only one word Popeye says - start with a G. He's said it, oh, about 10 million times. Phew! Said what? Don't answer that! lol.
I know! Ol' Tom tried to say it too, but it came out gwug because he had one of his newly knitted socks in his mouth! Why? Nope...not going to glug...erm...answer that! LOL!
Not at all, Tristan. Brutal and clear in its simplicity and truth.
(Soren's backstory, for want of a better term, is also endorsed)
Dave, I’m glad it read as truth rather than rhetoric. Brutally clear is about all we can afford to be anymore. And yes…Soren’s framing resonates because it names how memory and accountability erode together. I appreciate the nod and your care in reading it. 🗣️🔒🌫️🙏
this poem has a very important and piercing meaning, in however short form it were versed. Well-done. A fave, my friend!
Cellinic, thank you for this generous response. The poem relies on compression to let the meaning cut cleanly, and hearing that it read as important and piercing tells me it did its work. I’m grateful for the fave and your presence, my friend. 🗣️🔒🌫️🙏
No.
Shocked? No, but genuinely in awe of the message of the poem - a fave.
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