I Am Entitled! Poem by Robert Gilchrist

I am entitled
Not because I am wealthy
Or have an aristocratic heritage
Not because I am educated
Or have a good job
Or live in the right suburb
I am entitled
Because I live in Australia
And I am White Anglo-saxon
I don't expect to be accosted
By pubescent Police in West End
Wanting me to justify myself
For using the pavement
Or breathing the oxygen
I don't anticipate
Being ignored by shop attendants
I don't need to establish the provenance
Of the pie I am eating in Jayne Street
I don't need to justify
How I gain or spend my Centrelink payment
Or have my lifestyle analysed
I don't need to hang my head
In a shame imposed
Or avoid the eye of strangers
That believe the lies
That the media
And right wing politicians
Feed them
I am ENTITLED! !