Heee's Baack!

10 days since the President of Russia last was seen.

Rumors have been flying; what does Putin's absence mean?

He has cancelled trips and meetings.  Could it be he's sick?

Is he flat in bed because his back has got a crick?

Is he in a power struggle?  Could this be a coup?

Is he in some private spot exchanging an "I do"?

Kremlin watchers speculate why he's been gone so long,

But they're only guessing and their guesses could be wrong.

He still makes his presence felt, however, in the press;

Blustering to cover up his economic mess.

Russians love his show of strength - besides, no-one would dare

Take a poke at Putin even when he isn't there.

Later:

You may disregard that rhyme 'cause Vladimir is back;

Put his Northern Fleet on full alert for an attack.

Not to worry...  "Just a drill," said Putin with a smile.

Bet his neighbors wish that he'd stayed missing for a while.

Bad, Bad Vlad

Leroy Brown was bad so no one messed around with him.

Meaner than a junk-yard dog...  'though, meaner still was Jim.

Jim looks like a pussycat, however, when compared

To the Russian President.  Heck, even Big Jim's scared.

Putin's not a man the opposition wants to cross,

As their leader, Boris Nemtsov, learned - to his great loss.

Murdered by the Kremlin's wall; they shot him in the back.

Cameras weren't working at the site of the attack.

No one knows who pulled the trigger but the point is clear;

Russian opposition leaders have good cause to fear.

Do not spit into the wind or tug on Putin's cape...

Not unless they've also started planning their escape.