Waiting for the rice

The rice bowl always comes last
       at the table of the Dear Leader
Pour
     the
        drinks and
Serve the meat,
     but the rice is held till last.

The message is blatant and yet subtle:
                 Know your place like you
                 know your hunger,
   Freedom   lies   beyond   your   grasp.

A dusty child sweeps the dusty stone path
and the poor parent weeps
                               silently before the bronze statue and throne
Fear chokes their souls into submission.

Fed lies from their youth that bloat their stomachs -
       fanciful tales of paradise
Still, they sit at the Dear Leader's table,
waiting for the rice.