class war in the playground

how is it

that people

who’ve never done

a hand’s turn

or tightened their belt

own most of the land

own most of the gelt

own utter belief

in their entitlement

own utter belief

that their enlightenment

keeps the lid on disorder

keeps the riffraff down

keeps the Windsors

safely on their throne

keeps the Bishops

at prayer in the Lords

keeps their wild sons

at play with their bawds

keeps their wild daughters

out of the courts

keeps their tax havens

out of the way

keeps their inheritance

where blue-bloods play

keeps their horses

keeps their Rolls Royces

keeps their cut-glass voices

keeps their estates

so far and wide

keeps their hands in The City

keeps their hands in the kitty

with a bit on the side

it’s the politics of envy

they sneer at their foes

but that’s not so

no that’s not so

it’s just not fair

as any child knows

Jeff Cloves
Illustration: Claire Palmer