England Welcomes Careful Drivers…for Keith

[tectak]

There is, in this fine land, a set of rules;
abided by by wise men, shunned by fools.

But are you really sure which you are
when all you've done is drive off in your car?
Have you touched that  yellow line?
Have you overstayed your time?
Have you gone at over thirty?
Are your main beam lights so dirty
that a policeman, feeling shirty,
states you car’s a tad deceiving
and a fine you’ll be receiving.
At the least you are illegal-
get yourself a legal beagle-
for a rule of law you’ve broken
lost your “Good Behaviour Token”;
are you really, really sure which you are?

I ask you, are you sure which you are
when you set off proud… but don’t get very far?
Did you shoot an amber light?
Did you indicate a “right”
then impulsively turn left
and with sharp intake of breath
see a cyclist steer round death
out the corner of your eye?
Did you feel you’d like to die
when his two-digit retribution
comments on your execution?
Of course, YOU never make mistakes
(when did I last check my brakes?)
Are you really, really sure which you are?

There is, in this fine land, a set of rules;
abided by by wise men, shunned by fools.
But to me it seems a shame
that the rules remain the same
and no leniency is given
when a million miles you’ve driven,
and to drive precisely striven.
What’s a lamp-post now and then
(caused by whiskies, nine or ten);
Or a dent in someone’s boot,
or a past eleven “toot”?
If these comments make you tut
you’ve a legal right to, BUT
are you really, really sure which you are?

tectak
1959 (transcribed from yellow and crumbling Exercise book, thought never to see the light of day again)