instead of cut-and-thrust
be witty, be fast
in a public show, you can't afford gaffe!

encyclopedic knowledge, is it really a must?
nevertheless, detect and deflect is a skill, must
along any great debate path!

when facts are insufficient, use your craft
twist and turn, bend it fast
split tongue, speech quickly adjust

when slits opened, amend it fast
pad it with adhesives and dusts
jab it with a smile, a mandatory task!

be it godly matters, politics or matters civic: thrust
others' faults unceasingly dig ? an inner lust
self glory ? enlarge your bust!

to bluff and puff:
for some, it is a job tough
but for the skillfully crafted, a daily task

is this an act of stainless steel that rusts
or a top grade iron crust?
indeed, a society outcast!

Lin Hsin Hsin
October 2, 2008