THE OATH
Do you swear to defend the Constitution
From enemies foreign and domestic?
New civil servants
May find this ablution
Both stirring and majestic
Yet when they find themselves on trial
For corruption as defendants
On oath they swear
They weren’t aware
That it included the amendments

FOREIGN CONTACTS
Who do you know
That ain’t from here?
For every peer
You’ll wait a year
Before you’re clear
Adiós, career

SECURITY CLEARANCE
Please list for me the following
Chronologically—no gaps
All the restaurants you’ve dined at
And all consequential craps
Along with that submit a list
Of contacts who can verify
Your movements

TRUST BUT VERIFY
Could you open up the door, Mom?
Can’t believe I lost my key
That will happen now and then, Son
Can I please see some ID?