'Comes the Sheriff's Man..'

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sullivanthepoet.com
Member

since 2007-06-28

Posts 154
Devon, England

0 posted 2009-04-06 03:22 PM

‘Comes the Sheriff’s Man..’

As pestilent as summer rain,
the lickspit bailiff comes again,
all snarling ‘pon his master’s chain;
To seize the poor man’s chattels.
No mind this cur his victim’s plight,
or care to how sits wrong or right,
but sets his task with rare delight;
With each new door he rattles.

To there lay siege; This mongrel’s whelp,
for gain admit by ruse or skelp,
the pauper’s goods himself to help;
To sate the council’s warrant.
Foul writ that with all malice made,
and ‘gainst the debtor spiteful laid,
though has he nought to aid it paid;
Be no act too abhorrent.

For none is held account the court,
nor for its deeds to make report,
but let unleash to free extort;
All moral code forsaking.
And thus upon the debtor’s hell,
do bailiff’s charges heap as well,
as on and on his burdens swell;
Til naught is left worth taking.

No gaudy trinket left unseize,
or chair on which to take his ease,
nor children’s toy if them it please;
Though none be worth a candle.
For auction rooms must all be sent,
to raise the Bailiff’s ten per cent,
but serves his debt no single dent;
While courts condone such scandal!

As mediaeval Sheriff’s hounds,
these slack jawed dogs know yet no bounds,
as ‘bove the law about their rounds;
They snarl and bark and bristle.
To bully and intimidate,
incriminate, adjudicate,
these foul pariahs of the state;
All deaf their master’s whistle.

© Sullivan the Poet 2009
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