An Honest Joe (I.P.)

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Sun, 15 May 2016
  • 1999 reads
8 comments
 

I am not a cheat, nor am I an impostor;

I don’t launder money, I’m just an investor.

I have secret funds but I am not so rash

as to reveal the place where I stash my cash.

It may be on an island, virgin or deflowered;

with all that lucre, I’ll feel much empowered.

My business will suffer unneeded interruption

when our politicians blather about corruption.

They stop me from achieving further expansion

by denying my right to buy another mansion.

Then they’ll ask, in the name of transparency,

about ownership and not only of occupancy.

I am not responsible if the regulations are lax,

am just legally trying to avoid paying any tax.

I’ll entertain visitors and see them all imbibe

but those expenses are considered a bribe.

They call me a crook but I’ll have you know:

compared to some MPs I’m an honest Joe.

 

© Luigi Pagano 2016  
 

Inspiration Point: Corruption

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Comments

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Over the moon I believe is the proper response. Thanks for the fruit, insert, and best wishes.

Luigi.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

good use of the IP Luigi! 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Interesting! Is he an honest Joe? Sounds as if technically he might be, though evasive and stashing up lucre he can't 'take with him' - and no thought to use it to good??? Enjoying pointing the finger at those he feels worse than himself anyway. Well written as usual, and glad to see you get recognition! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Definitely a shifty character who is, as you say, operating technically within the law. Recently there has been an outcry about people taking advantage of tax havens  in order to avoid paying  tax on offshore investments. This kind of behaviour has been described as corrupted but corruption takes many forms from people who don't declare to the taxman that they have being paid cash-in-hand to parliamentarians who claim excessive and inappropriate expenses. So it is debatable who the Honest Joe is.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Brilliant - love the phrase about the island "Virgin or deflowered"

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Ha, ha Holly. Couldn't resist the pun!

Cheers, Luigi x

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Great poem and brilliant sentiments Luigi. Well merited cherries. X

Linda

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thanks for the approbation, Linda. As for the cherries, I believe it depends on the editors' preference but they help to get more reads and, hopefully, generate more comments.

Luigi smiley