they enter not with boots but brogues—
shined mirror-bright, reflection-proof—
carrying portfolios stuffed with secrets
and a grin that clocks in before the truth does
they sip from crystal talk transparency
through patent teeth
(fogged slightly with lobbying)
floor speeches flow like varnish:
smooth, non-stick, unsinkable
they nod through the anthem
hand on heart pocket on donor
"here to serve," they say while quietly
serving seconds to the highest bidder
the cloakroom echoes with forgotten intentions
and skeleton keys to closed-door committees
each law passed a paper boat folded with invisible ink
and still, the headlines call them honourable
while we scroll through what’s left of the paddock
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Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: October 30th, 2025 05:12
- Comment from author about the poem: villains in parliament, very insidious persons, villainously important persons… there are surely some around.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 4
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett
Offline)
Comments1
Some really great lines here my friend to pick a few:
"they enter not with boots but brogues—
shined mirror-bright, reflection-proof"
The possible double meaning here in that brogues can be well shined dress shoes as well as rough untanned leather. Both reflected in the second line where they are shined and reflection proof. This is the metaphor of having it both ways.
"each law passed a paper boat folded with invisible ink"
A most lovely metaphor filled with so many possible meanings. The paper boat a child's toy reflecting how they treat the recipients, easily replaced, disposable. The invisible ink (they may call it transparent) its fine details not seen by mortal eye. Then there is the word play in the line
"here to serve," they say while quietly
serving seconds to the highest bidder"
A masterful satire that reads so clearly and unfortunately is so true. A fave
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