The steely knives are drawn with haste
backstabbing is a moral fate
They fall like flies upon the dung
A close colleague, a dear old mate.

The numbers are dwindling quite fast
the contest takes a speedy pace
a party of a non-unite
a learned friend smacked in the face.

They talk of things so great and bold
how this country unite will rise
but all this lying through their teeth
staring at you with hidden eyes.

Fat bonuses for heads of the banks
corporate tax cuts for the greedy
celebrations for austerity
but what is left for the needy?

Entrepreneurs in finance and trade
they brag their status off aloud
sitting on their higher horses
each one of them sinful and proud.

But what of the working classes
who warily gave them their lot?
they labour then visit food banks
cut this, cut that, till they have not.

Squabble and fight without an end
this great, so called, party unite
oh, what a terrible shamble
a bunch of fools, shower of shite.

Stabbing, stabbing, is there no end?
their minds and hearts full of fury
and yet they couldn't organise
a piss-up in a brewery.

© D Marsden 2019

Life can be such a drag
they told me I can’t have a fag
bad for your health they said
if you don’t stop, you’ll soon be dead.

But what of when my lungs do pass
all of that poisonous belated gas
and radiation in the air
and testing bombs without a care.

And what of all the crops of wheat
sprayed with chemicals that we eat
and all the processed food, that’s nice
laced with additives to taste like spice.

No more meat: cow, sheep or swine
what shall I have, it’s dinner time?
tried eating fish out from the sea
but it’s all full of mercury.

Eating fruit and veg to be bold
it’s full of pesticides I’m told
I’ll have to try another fad
what of sugar? No! That killed my dad.

I’m telling you this is no joke
I think I’ll have a crafty smoke.

© D Marsden 2016