Inevitably, empires rot—
But how?
Sometimes plague
Or drought
Will do one in—
More often,
Complacent confidence.
Then come vicious
Well-armed Huns,
Seeking spoil—
Or cunning
Vampires,
Leeches,
Lice,
Hedge fund managers,
Merchant banks.
Wily creatures
Suck and suck
Until they leave us dry,
Wind-blown husks,
Subject to their rule.
What then?
(7/10/11)