#475 - playing the harp to a cow

 

18.iv.21

475

2.78

playing the harp to a cow

or

instructions for dealing with boring people in positions of authority

 

first remember where you are

then who and how

take stock

 

there’s always more in the tank than you imagine

 

remember the principles of the machine, the interest it serves

that every decision, assumption  is motivated

forget the parties – see the politics

it’s always personal

 

those people naturally fit in position

they have to be snuck out

I mean eased, tricked, teased

like a splinter

and you’re the tweezers

anaesthetic first

 

not a thing you can do until you get in

 

they are more sensitive than we are

because they have the time to be

 

understand that the creative bones in your body

are almost an insult to them

 

remember their rule number one:

never employ anyone smarter or more interesting than you are –

 

and your first rule?

know your enemy!

always go to bed with your boots on because you never know when

 

never forget that you are a threat

no matter how cute and cuddly you are

no matter how many your friends

 

remember that they are afraid of ideas

… it’s not about how you mean to be

it’s about how they can’t help but see

 

very occasionally one will have the opportunity to vote such people out

grab this with both hands if it comes

but don’t wait around for that

 

your key strategy is survival

be busy elsewhere

 

don’t overdo it

but take an interest in them

(others rarely do)

feed them something they’ll be proud to have thought of

hum a half familiar tune and it’s theirs

you can afford such gifts

 

tread the eggshells

what-the-hell – paint them an egg

now is not the time to be fussy

allow them the channel they choose

 

don’t forget that denying is a principal pleasure for them

… so the more you appear to be in need

the greater their glee in blocking you will be

… in other words, don’t try to hard

or, if you have to, don’t let them know

 

study their moves

note how little they do

how easy it is to be where they are

acknowledge their skill

never let on you’ve got their number

 

see ahead to success on your own terms

not becoming one of them

will be your greatest glory

 

remember that they are already in heaven

they have probably eaten the other gods

they chow down on the kids too

but hardly notice fleas

 

remember fleas can jump

 

play to fail

swallow opinion

bide

pride comes before a fall and all that

but a flea always lands on its feet

 

who needs feet?

you make up the rules

never let them know it though

 

some people never see the stars

they fix their eyes on a glass ceiling

catch themselves in reflections there

preen, play

cast suspicious eyes

 

you knock the ball right out of the park

 

they are always waiting

and it’s not for them to know

they’re waiting for your spark