POLITICAL DRUNKENNESS
Political drunkenness has given me my life
and still enthuses me, attracts me, stirs my wonder.
It’s drunkenness, my dear, that fires my soul and makes me
ardent for my country, fierce to claim my right by any means
to transfer judges when I please, to hire my people
for all positions, and to expel my enemies.
I yearn to be the leader, call it my mania
but I live just for this, I only want to govern.
Why would I want to live if I can’t rule?
Why would I want a homeland if I don’t have the reins?
Let my homeland see me govern and let it go to waste,
let it call me its salvation and let it go to Hell,
let my legacy remain and let my homeland be vanquished.
Even nature craves its drunkenness in politics
and if nature wants it, why not I? What do you care,
you teachers of moralism? Do you think the ones
who rule use different measurements?
They all pursue my way, all follow my direction,
and to achieve their glory, push aside all others.
Oh, my reverent religion, oh, please, come help me,
assist me to the throne, come help me, oh come and help
and introduce me to the crowds with palms and joy
that I become a proper Christian, a churchgoer,
to be voted winner in the first and only ballot
for any government position that I choose,
since I now bow before you, my only wish to follow you
and to be worthy of the leadership.
Even nature craves its drunkenness in politics.
It is nature’s wish, and what you say I have forgotten.
Manolis 