James poem

A poem by Sheffield poet James Oliver

   UK Titanic- all in it together

We understand your concerns

But find where we ever wrote

Any cast iron guarantees, that we’d hit no icebergs

And we don’t know who gave you the impression

That this ship was unsinkable

or the captain sane

So the house we said was your nest egg

Is now the millstone dragging you under

And the job we let you take loans against

Floated off when the engines failed

We would love to help

But we’re too busy playing ftse with the captains of industry

We would love to help

But you can’t escape the free market

This ship will right itself in time:

This is only a downturn

We must all remain positive

talking this ship-down

Is just what’s causing it to sink

Our safety-advice is this-

stand on your own two feet

And keep your chin up

No sir the winding-up allowance is not a wind-up

Yes that’s correct sir

it applies to the political-class package only

And comes with safety-winch included

We continue to be optimistic that the SS USA

Will arrive at any moment to tow us away

No madam, I assure you

That can’t be what you saw towing us here

No, these bonus-lifeboats are reserved

to attract the top people

who are best equipped to search for help

they’re lined with bank-notes

for quantitative-easing

It’s you we want to rescue

We’ll come back for you shortly

Meanwhile

Get on in:

the water’s bracing