Executive Poem by Gert Strydom

(after John Betjeman)

I am a young urban professional wearing a tweed suit
or a Daniel Hechter blazer with polished gold cufflinks,
for the highest position in the company I am in pursuit
and know what even the cleaners in the company thinks

have slept with everything that wears high heels
even the CEO's latest wife to climb the body corporate
and I do drive a brand new blue BMW as my firm's wheels
are at work before the rising sun and stay till very late,

daily I do visit the gym to keep my body in perfect trim
are on the golf course continually practicing my swing
and I am athletic, attentive, powerful and slim
do with the ladies of competitors have an occasional fling

just to find out what the opposition do plan
to be able to be on the ball all of the time
as I am the company's go to fixed it all man
that saves millions and even the smallest dime

and what I do is manage the things the CEO wants to hear
between the meetings that I do set as the company secretary
and I look for the figures that even the financial director do fear
do smile a welcome smile and nod my head involuntary

but back at home I am a different person,
do act as the best husband, the greatest dad,
do limitless love my daughter and son
and although I am wealthy there is much more to add

to set the things that makes life simple in place
and at church I do contribute and contribute
but do not buy any kind of grace
as nothing I do irresolute

and I am always in the right crowd and clique,
nobody do me criticise
as I do know every leeway and trick
have paved my way to the top and to paradise

[Reference: "Executive" by John Betjeman.]