“Do not fear us — fear God! ”, br The notice in the visa office says, br But is that what they really mean? br I fear not! For bureaucrats, br And minor Ministry officials br In all countries are the same, br They wear dark suits, they do not smile, br Those men who exercise the power br To refuse. They never bend the rules, br Those rules they say they do not make br But just apply. Oh the pleasure br That they get from saying that! br br At home they may be hen-pecked, br Over-ruled, and never get the chance br To have their say, but when they don the mantle br Of their office, see them grow: br A little power is a heady thing! br They feel like puppet masters, br The ones who pull the strings that make you dance.