Arms and the Man

It gives me pleasure, underneath

this heading, to present a prize

to you, Sir Worldly Wisdom-Teeth,

for Services to Enterprise

.

You've often praised the soldier's creed

because of its ability

to crush the forces that impede

political stability.

In global commerce you maintain

the scope of Mephistopheles

and feed directly from the vein

as sweetly as anopheles

until replete with interest,

in your black BMW

encapsulated and caressed.

No doubts or debits trouble you

but (though compassion's not what you'd

invest your reputation in)

you're sometimes in the giving mood,

and send a small donation in.

The damaged and untimely dead

you keep the windows shuttered on

while grafting for your daily bread.

You know which side it's buttered on.