With Influence That Lacked Integrity Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I've witnessed manipulators,
Come and go.
A few had used techniques...
As easily as massaging a couple of egos.
Knowing who to dupe,
And which ones were shallow.

And then there were those,
Who chose to rub shoulders...
After searching whom first to cuddle.
To obtain their confidence,
In secret huddles.

And with influence that lacked integrity,
These criminals had begun their rise...
To heights of incompetence.
With the aid of excuses...
And defending companions,
By their side.

To then be rewarded and applauded...
For deeds achieved.
While hiding the fact...
They were actually crooks and thieves.
Dumbfounding the blind,
Who still followed them close behind.