THE FIFTH AMENDMENT

According to the Constitution,
Secreted in the Bill of Rights,
You have to talk if your locution
Won't land you in a court’s searchlights.
This means the feds can be freewheeling
And torture you beyond all feeling
So long as you’re not brought to trial
But held until you’ve gone senile.
No doubt the Bush administration
On Cheney’s orders took a stand
On pulling off this slight of hand.
And so, what’s next? The cancellation
Of free speech rights? To take a breath,
And, speaking, talk yourself to death?