Vladimir and Epithet
(with apologies to Shakespeare and his prologue to Romeo and Juliet)

Two nations, unalike in word and deed
— as such can be upon our stage (the Earth) —
discover that, in one way, they’re agreed:
that Peace between them died before its birth.

Miscarriage or abortion? Who can say?
What terminology best fits our tale?
The evidence points to the U. S. A.:
its venal conduct far beyond the pale.

Our vassals, Europe, owe us more for gas.
The Russians must not profit from the sale
of inexpensive energy. Alas!
Four times their price (produced from fracking shale).

So that you, audience, won’t fall asleep,
ad hominem abuse on Vlad we’ll heap.