Poem: "Greasing the Wheels"

[ysabetwordsmith]

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.