A Poem for Mulroney

This poem was the last thing James published before he passed away.

From thetyee.ca

Mr. Mulroney
said (with a groan) he
wasn’t a crook
and the money he took
was a private transaction
(without any tax on)
and certainly wasn’t anyone’s biz
but his.

It might have been to pay off a debt
or settle a bet
but anyway nothing but three hundred grand
which chaps like him regularly pass hand to hand
without clear explanations
or prompt tax declarations
or even (as no one was going to see)
that tedious business of GST
and if there was any explaining to do
it wouldn’t be simply to me and to you.

But to a royal commission
he might give permission
as with enough lawyers confusing the issues
no one could prove (irrefutably) misuse
and even with minimal legal endeavour
it could drag on for ever and ever
and he could be sure to emerge with his name
if not unsullied at least without blame.