Blame It On Orwell (Poetry)

’Tis the voice of the despot
I heard him declare
“It’s time for a culling —
we’ll no longer care
for the old and the useless —
those crippled and lame
are way too expensive
for us to maintain

“So here are the figures —
our government stats —
adjusted and juggled
to indicate that’s
sound reason — fair logic
to cut off the flow
of benefit payments —
they’ve all got to go

“As for the homeless
we’re building a pound
for beggars and losers
caught dossing around
and unless they are claimed
as our new laws make clear
the same as stray dogs
they’ll all disappear

“Moving on to the Budget —
Well, what’s there to say?
we’re ‘giving’ far less
than we’re taking away
there’s nothing for free
in this tax-ridden life
you’ll pay to have children
and rent out the wife

“The threshold for pensions
is up for review
with coffers near-empty
a shake-up is due —
the retirement age raised
to at least eighty-four
and no income support
for those wilfully poor

“The Chancellor swears
he’s checked all his sums
and there’s no cash to spare
for those anarchic bums
who whinge about wages
and costs through the roof
when they’re far better off
without fags — it’s the truth

“So just tighten your belts
put a bolt on the door
since the crime rates are soaring
like never before
though the measures we’re taking
might stick in your throat
you should think yourself lucky
you still get to vote!”