While they lasted
The soviets hid from us
The shame of being
A paper sarcophagus laying
In a pyramid scheme,

Or that of being a promissory note
Stuck to a Frigidaire.
Such note,
Is a suicide note.

And I thought we’d hear
Weary voices through
Their muted trumpet
Sounding defeat.

Image credit : Leonid Brejnev in a bathing suit