A curious creature is the State

From “The Feather River Anthology or “Holy Water’” 1962.

Reflections on the State, Especially the State of California

by Kenneth Boulding

A curious creature is the State;

It must persuade – but may dictate;

It has an intermediate station

Between the County and the Nation,

That is, a sort of middle level

Between the Deep Sea and the Devil.

It is its custom and it’s wont

To do what other people don’t,

Its functions, therefore, though official,

Are always somewhat interstitial.