Nobody is insignificant

Nobody is insignificant

Is an easy thing to say

A soundbite

A ‘look at me’

‘I am an egalitarian’

Feel good catchphrase

Designed to build bridges

Across a vast divide

Enunciated clearly

To give an impression

Of equality

A level playing field

Unfettering the chains

Binding the hands of the many

Giving scope

For the desperate

To grasp at straws

Find the means

To break free

Climb the ladder

Reach the safety

Of the beautifully constructed

Pinnacles of endeavour

When every stakeholder knows

Slenderly built

Well manicured

Ivory towers still lean

In the direction of Babel

Only the personally invited

Sit down at the top table

To sample the best

That fine dining

Has to offer

Whilst the rest fight for scraps

Trampled in dust

On the floor below

Twas ever thus

Promises of equality

Reined in

As cold steel towers rise higher

Than a glass ceiling

Real people are left with a feeling

Of unease

When furnished with

Empty bowls,

Handed prompt cards

Encouraged to look at

Barely concealed

Red-nosed cameramen

And say

‘That was lovely

Can I have more please?’

To mask the paucity

Of equal opportunity.