Paul Willason Poet Free verse

A Career in Undercover

It's no surprise
that I'm back here
looking out over the river,
painting thoughts, dripping
memories, smearing streaks
of the here and now 
across the canvas of a dull,
overcast day.

There was a time 
when I had ambitions to be
an artist, high school dreams
of a life in smoke filled studios,
tee shirts and paint splattered
Levi jeans. ( A la Jackson Pollock )
Fate though had me 
nine to five dressed in a suit, 
white cotton shirt and a tie.

Over a long career I digested
libraries of corporate jargon,
studied the intricacies of office drill,
the dark secrets of management
all with consummate skill. 
To survive, I mastered the art 
of disguise and deflection
as an undercover poet 
learns to do.

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Sam Scott June 21, 2025 at 10:52 PM Undercover we are. Agents of change.. As always, Paul, another inspired observational write - you manage to complete the mission to communicate with clarity and precision. Dare I say, licence to quill. Blessings S:) x (ooheaven) Paul Willason June 24, 2025 at 5:41 AM Thankyou Sam for your kind words...very much value your feedback. Good to know that this old brain of mine can still string together a few words and manage to convey something of what gave the poem its breath. Return blessings, take care, Paul

David Kavanagh June 17, 2025 at 12:12 PM So you can take the poet out of the office after all Paul, but only after you learn the craft of official subterfuge lol! I was never one for the office myself, although I had to liaise with it on a regular basis, I honestly don’t believe I would have the tact or patience to keep up the dark secrets of management; a consummate piece of poetry, finely manipulated with life experience, and great skill, cheers David Paul Willason June 17, 2025 at 11:54 PM Always was a poetry tragic...painting pushed in for awhile until I subjected talent to a cold gaze. Decided I could always write a few lines of verse during a boring corporate meeting. Matter of necessity to juggle conflicting interests back then. Giving the muse full reign these days with mixed results. Cheers my friend.