Home » Poems » Laurie Mahoney » A Cheap Watch and a Cake

A Cheap Watch and a Cake

You sell yourself for money Hour lunch two coffee breaks To punch a card at 5pm For a cheap watch and a cake You live on autopilot A zombie for the pay Make copies, staple papers Day, after day, after day You think you're irreplaceable Never make it without you But if you dropped dead on the floor They'd step right over you And when your time is over They blow up some balloons Toast you with some Diet Sprite Goodbye they're done with you Tell me was it worth it? Did it bring you any joy? Did you trade your soul,your dreams To be gainfully employed? Were you ever happy Or was it lies , just fake Do you wish your life was more Than a cheap watch and a cake?

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The Situation

Date: 10/10/2023 7:52:00 PM

Loved it so much I'm faving it.

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 10/15/2021 7:43:00 PM

Very thought provoking, Laurie.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/14/2021 8:58:00 AM

So true thus I retired when I wanted to. They were out one hard worker but they will soldier on without me and never follow the crumbs to find me. Congratulations on POTD!

Jenna Logan

Date: 10/13/2021 4:30:00 AM

Forgive my late arrival at your POTD party, Laurie. Your write is exceptionally well written about the drudgery some us face in the workplace. Congratulations.

Alexis Y.

Date: 10/8/2021 4:20:00 AM

Wow! Laurie, This is so well written. I'm so happy to hear that found a job that you love instead of spending many years at a job that didn't appreciate you. Well done. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. Have a great day:-) Alexis

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 10/8/2021 2:44:00 AM

So Lovely. This is a great poetry. Some wonderful heart touching thoughts. Congratulations on your well deserved Potd. Enjoy the honour and day

Jan Allison

Date: 10/8/2021 1:04:00 AM

so little gratitude after all those years of service - so glad you managed to escape and get a job you love, congrats on POTD:-) hugs jan xx

Brandy Nicole

Date: 10/7/2021 5:00:00 PM

Work isn't enjoyable, as far as doing the same thing each day- for years and years. Of course, attitude helps. Seeing the positive in your surroundings. (Just my simple thinking). I think we all have worked somewhere that wasn't our dream job. That cheap watch and cake, perhaps a blessing in disguise. Congratulations Laurie, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. :) Brandy

Hilo Poet

Date: 10/7/2021 12:43:00 PM

I loved my dream and I reassured myself in its pursuit--educationally. Ne'er to be a frog sitting in the cold water of a pot on top of the stove. Earned degrees, two jobs hired me a week apart as a concurrent contractor until I retired from both. Comfortably raised a family, now they raise theirs likewise. Life is ne'er a bed of roses, it'll weigh down on you, time and again as the thorns of the mattress will remind you. My compliments on winning POTD my friend, Aloha!

Gary Radice

Date: 10/7/2021 10:05:00 AM

Loved this. I must admit that there were times I was working to live rather than living to work. Congratulations on POTD Cheers - Gary

Esther Ogundeinde

Date: 10/7/2021 9:11:00 AM

Congratulations! Interesting

L Milton Hankins

Date: 10/7/2021 9:05:00 AM

Congratulations on your P.O.T.D., Laurie.

Heidi Sands

Date: 10/7/2021 8:47:00 AM

Very well written. Congratulations for POTD :)

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/7/2021 8:39:00 AM

Congratulations on your Potd win. WOW!!! What a wonderful story/write. All so true. They say, do what you love but many times that will not pay the bills. Have a blessed day..................

John Lawless

Date: 10/7/2021 7:31:00 AM

if it was fun they wouldn't call it ....WORK. Nicely done....and congrats on POTD Laurie.

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 10/7/2021 7:25:00 AM

An excellent, inspiring write. Need to show this to my hubby. Not happy but not leaving. Congratulations on your well deserved Potd. Enjoy the honour and day

Joseph May

Date: 10/7/2021 7:20:00 AM

So many people are not happy in their jobs.. Congrats on POTD

Constance La France

Date: 10/7/2021 6:48:00 AM

Lauri, excellent writing and thought provoking, so many people become a slave to a job they do not like. Congratulations on receiving a deserving POEM OF THE DAY, enjoy the honor ~ friendship and poetry _Constance

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/7/2021 6:35:00 AM

Time (the watch) to chew on your words (the cake), laurie... O.K., I think I'm punching out. Congrats on POTD, Gershon

Warren Doll

Date: 10/7/2021 6:17:00 AM

Laurie, Congratulations on POTD. Well deserved for this well written and true poem. All the best~ Warren

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 10/7/2021 5:55:00 AM

Congratulations on POTD. Deep thoughts penned with great flowing lines - Brilliant. I have to admit I loved my job, which was teaching.. but I realize nobody will remember me devoting a lot of time and energy..when I am gone. You are really thoughtful, My Dear Friend, and realistically philosophical. Best Wishes ~ Mala

Christuraj Alex

Date: 10/7/2021 4:41:00 AM

Indeed, deeply thought-provoking concepts, words, verses, feelings... One can work for fulfilling one's duty; One can work for fun; To work with dedication putting one's heart and soul is, as for me too, the true concept of work. Thank you for sharing this, and hearty congratulations!

Tania Kitchin

Date: 10/7/2021 4:19:00 AM

Laurie, some jobs are not worth it, congratulations on POTD!

Mike Gentile

Date: 10/7/2021 3:43:00 AM

I did't even get the cheap watch!! Congrats on your POTD and Break A Leg!!

Laurie Mahoney
Date: 10/7/2021 3:54:00 AM

thank you!!

Brian Strand

Date: 10/7/2021 3:32:00 AM

Ah Laurie ..unless we all work..we dont eat..the way of the world is designed

Laurie Mahoney
Date: 10/7/2021 3:51:00 AM

Absolutely we all have to work. I'm 50 and I've have had jobs since I was 10. None of them brought me joy. I'm saying that people shouldn't settle. Make money doing something you love. Somehow it's the "norm" to be unhappy in your work. People shouldn't spend 50 yrs unhappy.