George Szirtes-II
When the wicked come…
They will be polite
and carry badges of proof
so you should know them.
They’ll be precisely
what you expect, conformists
in every respect.
You may welcome them
in your own symbolic way,
whatever that is.
You may gnash your teeth
if that is your preference.
The wicked won’t mind.
Avoiding mirrors
is their preference. They will
let you look in yours.
They will be correct
according to their custom
which is time-honoured.
They will wreak havoc
then shrug and apologise
for all they have done.
Let the wicked come.
They can’t stand there for ever
knocking at the door.
They can’t help their state.
Invite them in. Sit them down.
Let them wreck your life.
There, that wasn’t hard.
Wicked is as wicked does.
We all do something.
They will be polite
and carry badges of proof
so you should know them.
They’ll be precisely
what you expect, conformists
in every respect.
You may welcome them
in your own symbolic way,
whatever that is.
You may gnash your teeth
if that is your preference.
The wicked won’t mind.
Avoiding mirrors
is their preference. They will
let you look in yours.
They will be correct
according to their custom
which is time-honoured.
They will wreak havoc
then shrug and apologise
for all they have done.
Let the wicked come.
They can’t stand there for ever
knocking at the door.
They can’t help their state.
Invite them in. Sit them down.
Let them wreck your life.
There, that wasn’t hard.
Wicked is as wicked does.
We all do something.