While a border wall is built to the south — There exists a border wall to the north

Not built of concrete and steel — But of money, politics, and diplomacy

It’s not visual, but can be visualized — It’s existence seen circumstantially

When trespassed it grants sanctuary — To Canadian toxins and slag illegally

Squatters claiming possession adversely — To Columbia’s riverbed in perpetuity

Tho harmful to fish and benthics alike — Efforts at needed remediation

Result in collision — Against this wall unseen

Behind this wall extortionists lie — Wearing top hats, pinstripes, and tails

Canada making threats of reciprocation — If the U.S. pursues Columbia’s remediation

For past transboundary violations — by U.S. rust belt corporations

To this threat our government is complying — Hostaging Columbia, her inhabitants dying

Polluters escaping by recrimination — Victims subsidizing culpable corporations

Better both Nations not shield — Their transgressing corporations

For both Nations in violation — The Boundary Waters Treaty 1909

By allowing their pollutants — To cross the border line

The wall unseen is government — Constructed to protect their polluters

~  Old Man River

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