present simple

Down my straight soi

Morning by morning
in yellow T-shirts
the people stand
to the sound of the
National Anthem as
the flag is raised.

Temple by temple
in taxies, buses
the drivers leave
the wheel to wai
for luck and luck.

School by School
in white shirts
the teachers
march, clock in
and wai to the
yes-man.

Class by class
in white shirts a
new generation
learn by rote:

'All Buddhists are good.
All Thais are Buddhist,
so all Thais are good.'

Factory by factory
in blue shirts
hands for hire
march, clock in
and wave to the
Mercedes.

Evening by evening
in yellow T-shirts
the people stand
to the sound of the
National Anthem as
the flag comes down,
because, if it didn't,
how would tomorrow

work? It wouldn't!