From Pain to Paine and Back to Pain

Poor Tom Paine! There he lies—
Where has he gone and how
Does he fare? No one cares!

You can free folks from folks,
But they’ll cling to their ghosts.
You can stir them to fight,

But call out their faith, faith
Will bite you. Don’t try truth.
Truth is all lies boast truth,

Which is why the great truths
Lie by sword. The most cruel
Lords knew to smash the gods

And force knees to new ones
To keep what was won won.
Too weak and you will end

As taunt rhymes in a land
Where the old gods still reign.
Don’t ask us. Ask Tom Paine.