Poem - The Old Soft Shoe Reshuffle

THE OLD SOFT SHOE RESHUFFLE!

A Government Reshuffle has,

Occurred throughout the land;

Although this new Deal of the Pack,

Is simple, sleight of Hand.

It’s meant to be a hedge against,

The Gallup Poll upsets;

As there could be a Deuce to pay,

If voters hedge their bets.

The deckchairs will be re-arranged,

Upon the upper deck;

So hopefully the Ship of State,

Will not become a wreck.

It’s planned as a distraction from,

What’s known as Mid-Term Blues;

Before the next Election that,

The Government might lose.

“Were fizzing with brand new ideas,”

Is the pathetic shout;

Voiced by a desperate Cabinet,

That’s going down the spout.

“The Government means business now,”

Whilst Jokers clear their desk;

And Jacks-in-Office enter this,

Political burlesque.

It suits the suits to play the Suits,

With one hand on their Hearts;

Such Heartlessness in Spades is one,

Of politics fine arts.

New Aces hope to turn up Trumps,

Rough Diamonds feel the snubs;

They’ve ceased to sparkle in the game,

And crawl back to their Clubs!

The P.M.’s Upped the Ante and,

Tried Laying down an Ace;

It is, of course, a giant Bluff,

Played with a Poker face.

He then appears flushed with success,

Hence the effusive gush;

But this big Con and Knavish Twist,

Could show a Busted Flush!

For several days there’ll be a buzz,

Of comments in the Press;

But on the whole the public shows,

It couldn’t care darn less.

The chatterati will goss that,

Such artifice is cool;

But people in the real world know,

It changes bugger-all!

© Richard Layton