Sleaze
I’m mired in a pit of sleaze;
I'm sinking downwards past my knees.
I cast off principles with ease.
It seems that I’ve become immune
To shame which would make others swoon.
Just like a mouse who’s grabbed the cheese,
I only have myself to please.
I sup with porkers in a trough
And lay down vintage wines to quaff.
I’m mired in a pit of sleaze.
Light regulation’s friendly breeze
Has given me the rope to tease
Brown envelopes stuffed full of cash
For reading out some scripted trash.
I’m mired in a pit of sleaze.
I bill obscene and bloated fees
And have accepted hotel keys;
I’m a sucker for temptation,
Granted free as recreation.
I’m on the fiddle, on the take;
I’m in the money, on the make.
My ethics make my temples ache.
My perks are served up on a plate;
Put my next freebie on the slate.
Stephen Gospage
Sun 12th Dec 2021 16:58
Thank you, Greg. In my youth, I contemplated wandering around London carrying a placard which read "The end of the world is nigh." Sadly, I realised there was no future in it.
This poem came about because I thought up the first line ' I'm mired in a pit of sleaze' and just carried on from there. The words seemed to flow as easily as the sleaze they describe. Perhaps I'm shooting at an easy target.
John C. Well, not exclusively. There is a dishonorable line which goes back to Neil Hamilton, Poulson, Profumo and decades before that (not to mention the likes of Tricky Dickie and Clintstone over the pond). The present lot do seem to have elevated it to an art form, though.
John B and Julie - yes, there is an element of sadness in the truth of it. That said, I still believe that most people in politics and public life are honest and motivated by a desire to do good. I cling to this belief. If not, the poem wouldn't be funny at all.
Thanks for all the comments and the likes, Hugh, Branwell, Stephen A., Rudyard, Holden and Pete.