The Ninth Letter

Walk into the room late
So everyone sees you arrive.
Suit coat casual, papers in order.
This power. This control. It is yours.
 
If you ask enough questions, 
They will think you are doing your job.
And you can keep them off balance.
This power. This control. It is yours. 

Make requests and ask for help.
Make sure no one can do the job but you.
They will see how important you are.
This is power. This is control.  It is yours.

Turn the conversation to your successes,  
Your latest business deal, your many triumphs.
Others couldn't have done it without your help.
This power. This control. It is yours.

Double-speak those who question you.
Commend their willingness to examine deeply,
While you subtly insult them for not knowing.
This power. This control. It is yours.

Undermine others to build up yourself
Until people distrust each other and themselves,
Their very judgment, their abilities, their worth.
This power. This control. It is yours.

Understand it's not who we see in the mirror
That counts, but those behind us in the mirror,
The ones who come after us, the ones who hold us up,
Therein lies the power, if you can see past yourself.