They will

They will

Slap you down

Rattle your cage

With faint praise

Give a little

Take it back

Wipe the smile off your face

With the back of a hand

Fob you off

Dismissed

With a broken biscuit

Nobody is allowed

To profit

But the master.

It was ever thus

There were few

Truly free men

Heavy

Chains

Were two a penny

Every-body

Wore them.

A twenty-two

Carot choker

Hangs around your neck

As a signifier

Symbols are

Important.

Hang on to that dream

When were we ever

Born equal

That’s a luxury

Only a few

Can afford.

Stand up straight

At the back

Before

You’re slapped down

Say what you will

Cash in

Make a break for it

Join forces

With the outliers

Before the cull

Be a running man

Wear dark glasses

Be invisibile,

Hollow.

It is in my gift

To count you in

Or out

Don’t say a word

Until you are asked

Say it quick

Say it slow

Whichever is

A restriction,

Whatever is a preference.

There is

No free lunch

Unless you don’t need one

Then fill your boots

Only the hungry

Starve.

Pretend to be a grown-up

In a mad world

It will take time

To catch you out

But eventually

If they can

They will slap you down.