Belly Up – 16th December 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen

The belly up dog
rolls in recognition;

celebrating the leash,
revelling in submission.

In a democratic house,

its institutions sing

“we are free” until
it doesn’t mean anything.

The belly up dog

doesn’t need to be told

he’s free to roam

the lonely nights of cold.

Inspired by a couple of quotes:

we now live in an era when the slaves celebrate their slavery.

Nick Tosches


Democracy is a con game. It’s a word invented to placate people to make them accept a given institution. All institutions sing, ‘We are free.’ The minute you hear ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’, watch out because in a truly free nation, no one has to tell you you’re free.


Jacque Fresco

22 thoughts on “Belly Up – 16th December 2025”

      1. Thank you so much Shaun! It will go live tomorrow.

        And thank you for visiting and subscribing, it means really a lot that some folx are actually starting to read what I put out there : )

        I await your longette with anticipation! you’re still in the running, for now, to be the first apart from me to write one

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        1. I’m just waiting for a little inspiration on the social critique that I would like to point my pen at.

          Also, I’m printing out chapbooks of all my poem from last year and have sent copies to be given away at Repressed Records in Newtown and 19th Nervous Breakdown in Forest Lodge or, if you wish I can send the first three issues direct to you – let me know your address at thetenzenmen AT gmail DOT com. Cheers 🙏

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    1. Your comment brings to mind the fact that here in Thailand there are so many stray dogs and cats. Technically, they are free, but are diseased and usually chased away by people.

      Thanks Grace 🙏

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