Stalwart

By Cliff Lake

 

Stalwart

 

“Yakitty yak.” they blather at you.

Yakitty yak is the best they can do.

They talk and finagle and spew,

But you’re still in the trenches when they are through.

 

Is their truth between the lies?

Is it greed that squints their eyes?

Is it merely a win they prize?

What brute lurks beneath the smiling guise?

 

Will you be forced against the wall?

With no support to prevent the fall?

Will you be pierced beneath the screw?

The first one you count on is you.

 

At your abilities they will hew,

And do anything to alter your view,

And remove any fact you thought you knew,

To keep their hands unsoiled while they do the dirty to you.

 

With their plan will you align?

What steals through their design?

Have you fallen for the line?

Have you read the small print before you sign?

 

Will you be forced against the wall?

With no support to prevent the fall?

Will you be pierced beneath the screw?

The first one you count on is you.

 

What would they have you do?

Does it seem a tad askew?

What are you getting into?

Is it too good to be true?

 

Will you be forced against the wall?

With no support to prevent the fall?

Will you be pierced beneath the screw?

The first one you count on is you.

 

Cliff Lake 3/11/2025

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2025

Location: Wichita, KS, USA

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