Chattering Classes (Poetry)

We’re nattering, we’re chattering
we don’t believe the press
quite sure it’s a conspiracy
though some could not care less

It’s headline news — it’s all the news
the world’s been set on fire
we tweet and text or post our views
the mass prediction’s dire

We blame the Reds and check our beds
we count our enemies
good sense and reason quickly sheds
we face this dread disease

Opinions swarm like angry bees
they buzz but barely sting
though ‘facts’ and ‘figures’ fly at ease
they’re free of truth’s clear ring

No one knows anything for sure
what is there we can check?
If there’s a loophole in the law
it saves some liar’s neck

Who swallows the official line?
such propaganda stinks
and obfuscation is a crime
the rumour-monger thinks

Who’s the sceptic? Who’s the clown?
the chatrooms heave and groan
we chew the subject, grind it down
and leave the troll alone

The theories all remain just that
hot air — they let off steam
we’re programmed so — it’s good to chat
some advert-maker’s dream

The revolution’s shrieking on
the babe’s half-out its pram
such wolves howl loud but all along
inside each one’s a lamb