POEM 

Size does indeed matter,
when it comes to selecting leaders,
the bigger it is the merrier,
the longer it is the better.

Big on brains that is,
and long on intelligence,
for more than shiny lips,
leadership requires sharp wits.

There is more to being a leader,
than just popularity with voters.
And more to being minister,
than mere loyalty to dear premier.

Nor does being born to the blood,
fathered by heroes of the past,
make much of dawdling idiots,
who in their father's footsteps walk.

If doctors have bedside manner,
in leaders its amicable demeanour,
yoga postures do not denote health,
nor does money-lending bender wealth.

Dancing with ministers sundry,
isn't kosher even in revelry,
for appointed arbiters of justice,
a former judge need know better taste.

Alas, too much intelligence,
can be disaster if put on,
like those who ride the ox,
or ford across the camp bridge.

Those who curry jam in tin flavours,
and act as if the emperor has clothes,
once fourth floor son-in-law,
now evangelising sports and youth,

Some wear their intellect on airs,
like hearts upon their sleeves,
put on accents as eels infesting forts,
much for show worth not much.

Those who defend only their master,
do the rakyat really no favours,
in blog posts, Facebook, Twitter
like twits their words worth nada.

No matter how much they croak,
or creak upon wreathed keyboards,
those who have sold us out,
are naught but snake oil sellers.

There is more to being in office,
than power you wield as befits,
but responsible heavy duties,
that many chose to renege.

Size does indeed matter,
when it comes to selecting leaders,
but alas when it comes to good sense,
it’s upon us the blame lies hence.

For we keep voting in fellows,
more worthy of being clowns,
while those with talent aplenty,
we relegate to the opposite aisle.

HAZLAN ZAKARIA is a member of Team Malaysiakini.