Alma Ata

A man came by this evening, dancing like a puppet on his strings.
He spoke of engineering. It's obvious he'd never built a thing.
I had to smile and think a while.
I finally shook my head and said,
"Men like you can't build your peace."

His personality, while charming, still betrayed an air of confidence
inconsistent with criminal political dissent.
I had to smile and think awhile.
I finally shook my head and said,
"Men like you can't fake your peace."

A man came by this evening, we spoke about my future in this place.
He asked if the party and the opposition could ever reconcile.
I had to smile and think awhile.
I finally shook my head and said,
"Men like you can't make your peace."