Of Days When Blades Turned Blunt

according to this calender
nine thermidor, year two
age of the national razor
humane mass-murdering tool

execurtioner's grinning
as the axe comes down
swift smooth separation
off goes another crown

thus kings and queens convicted
like Marie-Antoinette
her mug too in the basket
by pulling the lunette

sentenced by thousands
under "la grande terreur"
a dark tale of represson
and the beheadings that occured

pre-eminent symbol
for blood the masses roar
indomitable justice
the crowd demanding more

square of decapitations
place de revolution
where severed faces murmur
of days when blades turned blunt