“Do not fear us — fear God! ”, <br />The notice in the visa office says, <br />But is that what they really mean? <br />I fear not! For bureaucrats, <br />And minor Ministry officials <br />In all countries are the same, <br />They wear dark suits, they do not smile, <br />Those men who exercise the power <br />To refuse. They never bend the rules, <br />Those rules they say they do not make <br />But just apply. Oh the pleasure <br />That they get from saying that! <br /> <br />At home they may be hen-pecked, <br />Over-ruled, and never get the chance <br />To have their say, but when they don the mantle <br />Of their office, see them grow: <br />A little power is a heady thing! <br />They feel like puppet masters, <br />The ones who pull the strings that make you dance. <br />It gives them lots of pleasure <br />If they can make you quake and tremble <br />For they’re just like playground bullies — <br />And I’d like to kick them all <br />Up the arse!<br /><br />Pete Crowther<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bureaucrats/
