Constructive Traitorship

Not so long ago
In a realm not so far away
Challenging the Status Quo
Brought a certain end.
Four ends, in fact
Each spiked on a pole
And displayed
At the four corners of the town
A warning to all
“This is what will happen to you
If you stand up
To the establishment”
Being hung,
Drawn
And quartered
Is no light punishment
And the more right you were
The quicker your head
Would be stuck on a spear
To rot
In the Market Square.
So no wonder
We have such a problem
When whistleblowers
Stick their necks out.
We are still inclined
By our historical impulses
And ever so keen
To lop
That troublesome upstart’s
Head right off
With the words:
“Just who
Do they think they are!”
Pete!