The Development Set

This poem was found by a friend in a drawer in a house in Sudan. Author is unknown. But I'm sure you know someone this poem is talking about..........z


The Development Set

Excuse me, friends, I must catch my jet -
I'm off to join the Development Set.
My bags are packed, I have all my meds,
Travellers cheques and nets for the beds.

The Development Set is bright and noble,
Our thoughts are deep and our vision global.
Although we move with the better classes
Our thoughts are always with the masses.

In Sheraton Hotels in scattered nations,
We damn multinational corporations.
Injustice seems easy to protest
In such seething hotbeds of social rest.

We discuss malnutrition over steaks
And plan hunger talks during coffee breaks.
Whether Asian floods or African drought,
We face each issue with an open mouth.

We bring in consultants whose circumlocution
Raises difficulties for every solution -
Thus guaranteeing continued good eating
By showing the need for another meeting.

Consultants, it's said, believe it no crime
To borrow your watch to tell you the time.
Their expenses, however, are justified
When one thinks of the jobs they might later provide.

Development Set homes are extrememly chic,
Full of carvings, curios, and draped with batik.
Eye-level photographs subtly assure
That your host is at home with the great and the poor.

When the talk gets deep and you're feeling dumb
You can keep your shame to a minimum:
To show that you, too, are intelligent
Smugly ask, 'Is it really development?'

Or say, 'That's fine in practice, but don't you see,
It doesn't work out in theory!'
A few may find this incomprehensible,
But most will admire you as deep and sensible.

Enough of these verses - on with the mission!
Our task is as broad as the human condition!
Just pray God the biblical promise is true:
'The poor ye shall always have with you.'