[Transcript] "Tomorrow, the Longest Shutdown: A Poem for a Nation Held Hostage Tomorrow, that tally towards totalitarianism tips. Tomorrow, tyranny tastes total triumph - to silence. Lo and leer, that longest shutdown in the ledger of our land yet lingers — and still, a so-called sovereign sits serenely, renovating his relics while the republic rots. Grasping gold as grocers go, and murmurations from marbled malls: Hunger hammers in humanity's hall. ... Is this not ransom? The state, seized and strangled, held hostage by hubris — a kingdom carved from the corpse of courts and order. And workers wait, the watchers whisper, the weary wonder, when will that "when" wait no more? Our lands have lingered too long in the lull between outrage and inaction, Mumbling for a miracle, hoping history has to happen without us. ... Across the Atlantic, America's ancestor annually honours, An anniversary anonymous to us, An hour a man announced "No more kings" And now as that time ticks over, I invite you to join me in a Piecemeal pocket prayer, Penning poetry of our plight; Remember! Remember, remember the Fifth of November, And the shutdown treason’s spot; For he’d burn the state to rule the ashes, Yet the people forget it not. For freedom’s flame is never hollow, Nor bought by tyrant’s plot — So rise, and let the masses follow, Lest his treason e’er be forgot. ... If you were seeking your spark, Or you value your vendettas, if you were watching, waiting, whispering, “when?” – then mark this moment. For the voice of the people is no gentle thing. It rises unbidden, unbridled, unbroken. It originates not from orders or oaths, but the old addage of the 'eart — "that no crown shall cage the common citizen". So speak, citizens. Step into the square, stand until sordid silence shatters. For tomorrow the tyrant touts his record – but tonight, *the people remember*."