Monday, January 03, 2011

CCXIV - The Judas Goat

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A friend and colleague has recently been told that he will be made redundant. But not yet.
In the mean time he must do nothing to startle the flock, keeping them happy and productive.


A ‘Judas Goat’ is a goat used at abattoirs to lead the sheep calmly to their death.


The Judas Goat

The Boss

I have to say, I’m sad to relate
We’re moving your job interstate.
But don’t feel sad or even blue,
Other will go as well as you.
Now, please go keep the place in order
Until we move across the border.

Chorus
He’s a Judas Goat and he has a way
Of making sheep think he’s okay.
He keeps them calm,
He soothes their nerves
And sees they’re fed and watered.
Then he takes his little flock of sheep
And leads them to be slaughtered.

The Boss
Please hang on, don’t run away
We need you to make the others stay.
We don’t want them making tracks
Until we’re ready to swing the axe.
And just to show you have our backing
We let you do the nasty sacking.

Chorus
He’s a Judas Goat and he has a way
Of making sheep think he’s okay.
He keeps them calm,
He soothes their nerves
And sees they’re fed and watered.
Then he takes his little flock of sheep
And leads them to be slaughtered.

The Boss
To try to make the whole thing fun
We’ll give you a bonus when it’s done.
Calling it ‘thirty pieces’ is rather rough,
We know redundancy can be tough,
We just want to show you that we care…

...you want me to put my money where?

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© 2011 J Cosmo Newbery

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9 comments:

  1. That is a great poem dear J Cosmo, just as well your friend is an honourable man and has principles.

    xoxoxo ♡

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  2. A friend and colleague?

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  3. It seemed a bit gauche to say that I had fathered all your children.

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  4. Happy New Year, J Cosmo!

    I'm sorry for your friend and even more so that he must be placed in such a disgusting position.

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  5. Brilliant - and sad too. This happened to my husband. Luckily, he was given six months so found another job during that time...

    Hope your friend lands on his feet soon.

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  6. Very fitting to the situation, Cosmo. Indeed, I hope our friend lands on his feet, tap shoes a-tapping. :)

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  7. wicked good fun ... the poem, that is. Redundancy is never fun.
    xxx

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  8. Hi... Eventually got around to visiting folks who have visited my blog again... this is up to your usual high standard. Companies will waste money on bringing in consultants after the retrenchment exercises but do they ever stop to count the cost on their loyal employees? I experienced how one man committed suicide, one boss who couldn't handle having to retrench people turned gray virtually overnight and another who just couldn't handle at all sucked on the barrel of a gun... I was in the unenviable position of having to type the letters that went to each of those people. Your poem makes light of it, but I know you feel your friend's pain otherwise you wouldn't have written it.

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