A Reflection On Lord Hogan-Howe's Stint In Liverpool Poem by Barney Rooney

was he the lucky one to ride the change
a city on the slide
was he the one who turned it round
the man who changed the ride
aye, they were bad old days
before the sheriff made his stand
run-down, amok, lawless ways
until he called the hand
of the cocky crooks and fiddlers of books
used to winning at their game
found themselves staring
down his double-barreled name
but away he went to London
having rid Liverpool of crime
they say that's why he got the job
they'd not be known for lying?
tho' we're still paying for protection
to the local security fiefs
young hoods oil and finger guns
back-up business on the streets
we run half of europe's drug trade here
underpins the city's wealth
thanks to its investment
never looked in better health
settling onto the sandstone footings
silver salvers and enslavers
knowing how good business works
buying and selling favours
bizzies in their blousons
neither give nor get a fine
alongside all the others
on the double yellow line
saunter into Subway
to get a healthy bite
awkward of their image
and wary someone might
call upon their services
'visible presence' is a bind
sorry sir not on duty
and haven't got the time
otherwise engaged today
not doing crime
if you've got a problem
suggest you dial 999
brought an end to crime
though not crime as we know it
relatively defined
why report it?
in 5 years in this city
something stopped the image slide
was he the lucky one to ride the change
or the man who changed the ride?