Processing (Poetry)

Through the door the hopeful punter comes
thinking he will get some good advice —
a helping hand — encouragement — ideas —
but he really should have guessed — at least thought twice.

They are not geared to giving what he needs
but keen on stating what he has to have —
come join our club and be like all the rest —
a business-by-the-numbers small-town chav.

No room for any innovation here —
it’s forms and ticking boxes all the way —
he has to fit the profile — meet the stats —
the process doesn’t give him any say.

He has a dream of being self-employed —
he has a talent that he’s sure will sell —
he is the expert in his chosen field —
he’s done research — he’s made a plan as well...

No fool except in this — to think that they
would welcome a free-thinker in their midst —
such mavericks bring on a nervous twitch —
they rock the boat — put apple carts at risk.

Back through the door again — a quick escape —
in and out unprocessed — doctrine-free —
their system’s biggest flaw identified —
how small the gain — how huge the price would be.