Quid Pro Quo



There's no free lunch in this mean town, my friend.
You have to play the game, and learn to bend.
It's quid pro quo, or shiver in the cold.
Just do as I say and you'll hit pure gold!

There's money to be made, if you're no fool;
Now oil the wheels of business, and be cool.
Don't tell me about ethics, they're no good!
I left mine in some luckless neighbourhood!

You need to quickly learn what's best for you;
We fat cats must be fed, so take my cue.
At first you get the scraps, but stick around,
And pretty soon you'll be on higher ground!

You'll climb the corporate ladder, given time.
Then life from way up high will look just fine!
What's that you say? You care about the poor?
Then go and join them, loser! There's the door!

______________________________

Copyright © Robert Haigh 2018
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Submitted by RobertHaigh on June 17, 2020

Modified on March 05, 2023

48 sec read
60

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABB CCXA DDEE XXXX X
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 774
Words 149
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 1

Robert Haigh

Robert Haigh is an amateur English poet, Musician and photographer. more…

All Robert Haigh poems | Robert Haigh Books

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Discuss the poem Quid Pro Quo with the community...

1 Comment
  • Adroity
    It sounds like you're sharing a poem that delves into the tough realities of navigating the world and the pressures to conform to certain ways. The verses capture the idea of playing the game and adapting to the environment to succeed, even if it means compromising on certain values. The imagery of climbing the corporate ladder and the notion of prioritizing personal gain are quite vivid in the poem. It seems to reflect a perspective on ambition and success that can be quite challenging and competitive. 
    LikeReply5 months ago

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"Quid Pro Quo" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/53745/quid-pro-quo>.

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