Manifesto of Promises

  

Our manifesto of promises:

Here is what we will do,

If only you give us your vote

We’ll see you through.

 

 

  

Our manifesto of promises

That we have timetabled

And we pledge to follow through

For we are able.

 

We cross our hearts

And we also hope to die

Showing you how serious we are

That we won’t lie.

 

Who would go so far

As the third verse did state?

None, for that is like handing you

Their heads on a plate.

 

An escape clause

Is what they will present

For oft times the promises made

Are just intent.

 

We knew it was bad

But not really this bad

And of course, we made promises

On what we thought we had.

 

 

 

May work for those

That are trying to get in

But for those that are actually in,

It’s a cardinal sin.

 

For, they know the truth

Of what is there or not,

They were the elected custodians

Of the entire lot.

 

If it were as bad

As they make out to be,

They’d hope the opposition wins

And they escape free.

 

Do you see the point

That I am making here?

Well, if you don’t, I am so sorry,

To me it is clear.

 

  

A manifesto of promises

Is invariably one’s intent

To sway the eligible electorate

In a certain bent.

 

It is like the calypso:

“You hear lie? That is lie.”

And smacks of clever politicians

Operating on the sly.

 

‘Tis a difference between

Manifesto and manifest:

The latter is closer to the truth;

The former is a mess.

 

  

A manifesto should be

A five-year plan

But when completed in far less,

That is a scam!

 

Consecutive snap elections

Convince me of this

Unless something is significant

That I have missed.

 

A manifesto of promises

Is invariably one’s intent

To sway the eligible electorate

In a certain bent.

 

Stewart Russell © February 9, 2026