in time of war

the citizens of this great imperial nation
require new serenity of peace and quiet
that's better for good exercise and diet
than awful queries about an ugly situation
no one would want to get above their station
or grab a rival country's flag and fly it
though that would be good reason for a riot
so above all they eschew desperation
what being would accept an honest favour
only to turn around and hurt the giver
through sheer excess of honest awkwardness
you want to taste the moment simply savour
the simple frisson the delighted shiver
as someone else takes blame for all the mess