NaPoWriMo 2016: Day 19 - How To Make Silk Purses Out Of Sows' Ears

Catching up on the poetry - finally have had a chance to sit down in between travelling to write. Day 19's prompt was to write a 'how to' poem. It didn't start out as an extended metaphor, but the political situation back in my corner of the world has been making me cranky enough for a while, it needed out.

#19: How To Make Silk Purses Out Of Sows' Ears

All it takes is a little finesse and some crafting skill

A lot of pretension and a brass face

Brazen as the painted faux steel balls

Of a prime minister who insists that 2.6 billion ringgit

Which suddenly appeared in his private bank account

(Despite a damning trail of evidence which points

To, shall we say – controversial acquisition)

Is a princely gift, a donation from Foreign Powers That Be.

Materials for any top-quality purse require preparation.

Select your sow’s ears – make sure it is large and  roomy

Deep enough to hold a 24 million ringgit diamond ring

And plenty of flattery from countless ampelopses

In Higher Governmental Circles.

Scrape off any bristles. Tan the pigskin 

Till it feels as soft as butter

Then trim it to size

(Making sure to cast aside all uneven edges

Like hard-hitting truths and unblinkered realities.)

Of course there must be silk – top-notch stuff

Spun from the toil of labouring creatures too insignificant

To acknowledge, or even, heaven forbid, think about – 

Cut the silk to fit the purse and stitch it around

With the finest, strongest thread 

Waxed like lies, smooth as deception

And don’t forget the embellishments:

Lacy words, a tissue of fabrications 

Over what is essentially a lie

A coarse imitation gussied up with Class and Elegance

A  paean of praise to ill-gotten gains

And thick-faced Hussies with expensive lacquered hair.