Geithner at Treasury has shown an unsettling tendency to foster policies that work to generate large risk-based profits and bonuses on Wall Street and little or no real recovery on Main Street. So the Administration is now finally turning for advice to another man, one with a well-deserved reputation for being tough, wise, and able to devise approaches less likely to cause huge future public bailouts. Tall Paul Volcker. 

Tall Paul

He stands 6 feet and 7, and that's when standing in his socks
He's played the Beltways's hardball games, gave out and took its knocks
While Ben and Tim and Larry to the market genuflect
He understands The Street works best with a collar round its neck
Tall Paul, big, bad Paul.

For awhile he was window dressing, shunted to the side
While the shorter and the lesser guys took the country for a ride
But when 'twas clear the state of things these lesser guys had sired
At the White House they woke up at last, knew the first team was required
Tall Paul, in a squall.

The situation he took on was certainly a mess
'Twould not be quick nor easy all its mangled parts redress
But he regulated hard and smart, with The Street played Mme. DeFarge
There were groans, of course, but relief as well, with the big man now in charge
Tall Paul, the right call.

*****

©2010 Michael Silverstein

Poem of the Week

Past Satirical Verse

Guest Poems

Wall Street Poet Blog

Financial Essays

Books by the Wall Street Poet

About the Poet

Contact the Poet

Reviews of Silverstein's
Financial Verse

Links

back to top

"Nowadays, you can't turn on the TV without some talking head telling you about the economy. Yet, in a world overrun by 'analysts,' only one man has the guts, the brains, and, quite frankly, the poetry to put it all in perspective.That man is Michael Silverstein... Silverstein is a true intellectual." — Gersh Kuntzman, The New York Post

"Few people have found much to laugh about in the stock market this year. Michael Silverstein is the exception. The Bard of the Bourse can find humor in losing money, globalization and stock options." — USA Today

More Of What The Critics Are Saying
About Silverstein's Financial Verse