Regime Machine
Some years ago I remember reading Stanley Hauerwas, (the bricklayer turned theologian), and him commenting, “The kingdom of God was an alternative to the violence of Rome”.
That hit me in the chest and never left me and is probably the underlying thought in this reflection.
Elections or war
change the regime?
Votes or bombs
To break the machine?
A dominance of rule
One for them
One for you
A liars den
The need for greed
The beast of power
Dirty deeds
In the darkest hour
Do it for freedom
The headlines write
Build their kingdom
By power and fright
Pockets lined
Agendas made
Lands mined
Bloated with graves
Empires flags
Waves of fear
Body bags
Taste the tears
This ruling paranoia
This compost of greed
Self serving stench
In our hour of need
The machine is broke
The waterhole dirtied
The greed of a bloke
No whim averted
Long ago a man spoke
The shining son
There was no smoke
There was no gun
Crowds followed
New headlines made
An alternative kingdom
Walked from a grave
Wake up people.
Stand, Rise up
Write a new headline
Drink a different cup
Mercy and grace
quench a thirst
Not power nor race
No nation more first
Stare in my soul
Change this regime
break this mould
Change this machine
To call out others
Begins with me
That voice in the desert
That new decree
Want a new regime?
A different kind of king?
Gotta brake this machine
A new song to sing
Ⓒ Sean Stillman, 2026