A DELUSION

If you’re sick and tired of life

And the wear of business strife,

And decide to take the veil,

To a Minister you tell,

Whom you know very well,

Your long and sad, sad tale.

When he grabs you by the hand

And says in manner bland:

“You can certainly count on me

When we have a vacancee,

As sure as sure can be;

You’ll get the tip

On the strict Q.T.”

If to yourself you say,

As you go your hopeful way:

“I certainly get a Government job

At a decent salaree.”

What a singularly deluded jay

You certainly will be.

If you’re up to all the tricks

Of the game of politics,

And know a few M.P.’s;

You would naturally think

That as easy as a wink

You’d get nearly what you please;

But you’d be singularly lacking

In the necessary backing

If this was all you had,

And you looked for an appointment

You would suffer disappointment

In a manner very sad.

You see it’s just this way:

You can say just what you may,

But Political Pull is a very funny thing.

It’s as strange as strange can be.

If you’re doubtful of the fact,

Just go against the Act

To get a Civil Service sit and see.

Conventionality counteth not high in the game, but it counteth.