Poem: "Greasing the Wheels"
This is today's second freebie, courtesy of Dreamwidth user Ailelie, a new prompter. It was inspired by a prompt from ellenmillion. I got to thinking about baksheesh and how Egyptians have a whole different view of bribery. To them, it isn't corruption: it's lubrication. It stands to reason that the Empire would see certain things the same way -- and the licensing fees may have evolved partly from this.
Greasing the Wheels
No one thinks what a millstone feels
Grinding the grain between the wheels.
No one thinks of a bureaucrat
Pushing papers so smooth and flat.
Think of what makes the world go 'round,
Keeping the wheels from making sound.
A little grease goes a long way;
So do the bribes that people pay.
It isn't fraud; it isn't graft;
It is the bureaucrat's true craft.
It's nothing but a little gain,
Greasing the wheels that grind the grain.