I get up in the morning
and dress up like a gentleman –
A white shirt a tie and a suit.
I walk into the street
to be met by a man
who tells me to ‘produce’.
I show him
the document of my existence
to be scrutinized and given the nod.
Then I enter the foyer of a building
to have my way barred by a commissionaire
‘What do you want?’
I trudge the city pavements
side by side with ‘madam’
who shifts her handbag
from my side to the other,
and looks at me with eyes that say
‘Ha! Ha! I know who you are;
beneath those fine clothes
ticks the heart of a thief.’