The Emperor’s New Country

An emperor, a Ford Cortina and a country heading for a pothole. A satirical villanelle about the dangers of waving cheerfully while everything falls apart.

He smiled, waved, and said that all was well,
Stark naked on the Cortina, quite a sight;
‘You're naked, sir!’ they shouted. He could tell.

The fluffy dice swung as the banners fell,
A road sign pointed left, another right;
He smiled, waved, and said that all was well.

A woman asked which way they meant to steer.
The driver shrugged and took another bite.
‘You're naked, sir!’ they shouted. He could tell.

He heard them perfectly, and laughed as well,
Then waved again, delighted by the sight.
He smiled, waved, and said that all was well.

The tarmac split; the crowd began to yell,
He waved until the headlights left their sight.
‘You're naked, sir!’ they shouted. He could tell.

For years they heard his laughter where he fell,
Though no one thought to put the roadway right.
He smiled, waved, and said that all was well.
The pothole was never filled, and that was the last turn.