There is little as slippery as the greasy pole
Unless born to the classes of dangleberries and clinkers,
Bum-crumbs that stick to any old thing
By virtue of school and family.
Social capital makes all a-ok.
But even rich excrement won’t stick if polluted by morality.

The rich use slipperiness to reinforce position;
Institutional Teflon, BAM and Hi-T-Lube
Even hide the skid-marks of those sliding down…
But the top of the pole is different
Offering super-glued security;
Once there, ranks close to protect
Whatever the crime.

The great irony:
These super-human bum-tags
Spend much effort to keep all down
Save the select few beyond their fake elite –
Promotion as reward, never for aptitude or ability.
Real elites must be attacked;
Quality threatens.
Non birth-right role tenure all but gone;
Ability Trumped by position;
Position granted by background or psychopathy,
Only occasional sop to mindless loyalty.
All can be forgiven save competence,
Caring,
Concern
Conscience.

In line with my assumed identity (grumpy is as grumpy does) I occasionally pen somewhat cynical verse (in case you didn’t notice). I recall that this one was helped along the way by an episode of the uk comedy panel show QI featuring some of the key terms used. It largely represents a life of observing the practice of senior management across several employers in various countries – not least my final one.