Lizard

The man in the suit has a briefcase full of misdirection.
The man in the suit wants you to think well of him.
The man in the suit has pressed his lizard-dry hand into yours
and promising you the earth.
A day later his exact words are smoke.

The man in the suit says something about community.
The man in the suit says something about sustainability.
The man in the suit is tub-thumping for the cameras
and gulping down applause.
A month later he’s a name on a voting slip.

The man in the suit is photographed in front of a banner.
The man in the suit has a mandate, a policy, an agenda.
The man in the suit is working for other men in suits
and they press him for profit.
Five years later he’s your friend again.

Neil Fulwood has published three collections with Shoestring Press, ‘No Avoiding It’, ‘Can’t Take Me Anywhere’ and ‘Service Cancelled’. A collection of political satires, ‘Mad Parade’ has just been published by Smokestack Books. Neil lives and works in Nottingham. Read other articles by Neil.