Upstairs, Downstairs

When Mr Mallya left town,
He claims to have told the Minister he was leaving.
Mallya is a gentleman from toe to crown,
And the Minister does not seem to be grieving.

While the meek are full of moral rage,
And the media of butter upon the bread,
The high and mighty play upon a stage
Where all is always securely well-fed.

When democracy happens at the vote
The canny feed us newspeak and crumbs.
We rave and rant in shrill, righteous note,
Then settle back among the familiar dumps.

Thus order is restored among the classes,
As the market renews their zeal and zest;
Poisoned sewers eradicate the masses,
And loyal sleuths snuff out the rest.

Badri Raina