Any Façade Is Bad

I tried to believe it

But I really could not,

I had covered all the ends

But I still got caught.

Later I discovered

I was set up by a friend,

A straight case of envy

And that was the end.

Someone came calling

And I answered the knock,

On opening the door

I was confronted by cops.

It made no use running

They had me good

And one read me my rights

As any good cop would.

For a moment or so

I had considered a bluff

But before I could decide

I was in handcuffs.

I was roughly led away

And put in a vehicle

And driven to the precinct

Like a common criminal.

I had had a long run

I had made lots of cash

But now I had been found out

It was over in a flash.

Few would believe it

I had a beautiful façade,

The society respected me

And I was a community dad.

But I betrayed their trust

Though that did not matter,

As long as I was making money

That was not a bother.

  

A friend wanted to get in

On my little deal

But I told him I wouldn’t

And he threatened to squeal.

He was particularly persistent

And I did not back down,

I refused to give in

But he kept coming around.

I had been careless

During just one transaction,

He was privy to this

And wanted a piece of the action.

But greed is a funny thing

And I wasn’t going to share,

He eventually disappeared

But then the cops appeared.

Clearly he had gone to them

With what he had known

For when they came to the house

They were not alone.

He accompanied them

And he identified me too,

There was nowhere out of this

I was finally through.

I made the newspapers

It was not a pretty sight,

I had looked good for a while

But my deeds came to light.

A featured mugshot

And a photo in handcuffs,

The easy days were over

I was now into the rough.

Many could not believe it

And neither could I,

I was so humiliated

I wish I could die.

But why am I telling you this?

It is the least I can do,

If you are doing like I did

Your comeuppance will come too.

It is time you understand

That any façade is bad

And eventually all will know

You are not a genuine dad.

Stewart Russell © October 2018