Speechwriting Class

Please spend another minute on your speech,
Making it sing, perfecting every phrase,
Making it sting, removing bits of praise
In favour of rebukes. Try a harsh screech,
Use copied words: Once more unto the breach,
Dear friends, dire enemies, dread lonesome strays.
Choose loathsome exploits and uncanny ways.
Too late, we've learned your grasp exceeds your reach.

Now even plagiarism can't help you,
Not even fear of death or heads of state
Can make you try harder, or hesitate:
You just heave forward like a song that's true,
But nothing that you say, or sing, or do,
Makes sense now. Empty words, ignoble brew.