In All Walks Of Life Poem by Mark Heathcote

Speak when spoken to, isn't this often said
growing up as a child; as we were being fed?
But it's much the same, in the grown-up world
especially at work, when you want to get heard.
Those put-downs, insults you feared to answer.
From bullies that have reached places of power
people take advantage of you - in all walks of life
they're not just divisive, their goal is to deprive.

Belittle and control others, sometimes subtle,
unintentional or not, there's always a rebuttal
they'll marginalise you, like an orphan child
their cruel discriminations make you reviled
don't buck the trend or you'll not have a friend.
And your stock will fall and forever descend
speak when spoken too, isn't this often said
growing into a man and getting, marginally ahead.

Our voices are squashed, in a vice-like-grip
don't paraphrase them, or their evil editorship
step-back into line or I'll, have you whipped
locked, behind, bars deported and shipped.
Their racism is trivialised and made the norm
their doctrine is to lead and thereon misinform
wherever you look, there is one unbearable fact
when banded together they have the largest pact.