JUST A WHIFF

What are standards and regulations for
You thought it safe to go into the water
No shark, but growing clouds of brown
It must be effluent from a nearby town
Seawater that was lager now like porter
A danger to health, even life, I am sure

What happened to civic responsibilities
One wonders where that money goes
All the waste that remains uncollected
Now, even more rats can be detected
And a social economic debt still grows
Can we try a dictatorship state, please

I’m no communist, yet aren’t we free
Expectng some spine in those we elect
What happened to the hale and hearty
Not just kow-towing to political party
As a strong mind deserves my respect
But after all, they say it’s a democracy

Polluted water, ever the sad metaphor
For corruption leaking in public office
All may start off with good intentions
But all need more than their pensions
Each one is after all, merely a novice
Except those being in the role before