Socialist Sonnet No. 198

Penny Pinching

 

Treasuries are empty vessels.

Chancellors, in a parlous state

Of limited means, must wrestle

With demands as they inflate.

 

More for defence and more for health,

More for increasing benefits;

Meanwhile, the wealthy guard their wealth

Or money markets take the hits.

 

Every penny capital pays

Whether as salaries or doles,

If taxes rise so must wages,

 

Too much by capitals’ gauges

And it’s then the stock market falls:

So, back again, to crisis days.

 

D. A.