Rule of Law

Rule of law is itself no solution,
its arrival necessarily too late. 
Punishment, instead of correction, 
is the reaction initially made.

Populations misled by misstatement 
react--and with reason--with fear,
arm themselves, if only for protection, 
thus, spreading distrust far and near. 

Police are replaced soon by soldiers.
The response is the end of all trust.
Public truth is replaced by loose gossip 
and the immediate resurrection of guns. 

No one projects hope any longer.
Whole nations react in despair.
Nor is there any hope for accord. 
The inevitable outcome is war.