In polite society we hold doors open,
say thanks and please, wear crisp
suits when we drop bombs.

In polite society we always greet
Blacks and Latinos and Native peoples,
smile as we strip them of their rights.

In polite society we wear bright jewels
mined by slaves, decry slavery,
tip generously.

In polite society we destroy the Earth
to make us rich, create jobs
that pay the poor to be poor.

And in polite society
we are never rude, never mean—
we murder democratically.