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Not Today, Not Anymore -

For 15 years I have tolerated, calculated, anticipated, sublimated workplace degradations, derisions, subversions towards my character, not today, no more, yes, my pride has become livid, swollen like a bad bruise on the heart and I apologize not for my self defense & righteous roil, I will address you as the mean spirited scoundrels that you are, no more 'boss - employee' boundry, just one human to another, No fascade & title to prance behind, no longer above reproach from the lesser, you are now entering the shock of the 'dead-fall' , buck you and your low wages, buck you and your perfect policies, buck you and your work ethic 'mumbo jumbo', buck you and the lame insults and false criticisms perpetrated against my innocence and motivation, buck you with your attempts to undermine my positive leadership, buck you and your inconsistent hours making a God damn yoyo out of me, buck you and your bonuses, buck you and your preposterous training videos and ridiculous high school uniforms, buck you and the belittling psychological questionniares connected to your applications, buck you and your little managerial conclaves which produce absurd machinations targeting the hourly employees that make the place profitable, wipe your cracks with your silly 'write ups' and legal circumspection bull-slit, I am not your 'bro.' or 'buddy' , and I sure as shout am not your 'honey' , not today, not anymore I will not allow you to treat me as a tool for your benefit, I will no longer work faster so that you can save money & leave earlier, you will no longer be permitted to laugh at me without redress, you are now dealing with a Man, not just another employee number, don't worry 'boss', I'll continue to work, I'm not gonna 'quit' , but I will not work for you, I am going to work with you, today is a New Day - J.A.B. Dedicated to all hard working Men and Women -

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Laura Breidenthal

Date: 7/24/2015 6:09:00 AM

Damn Justin... that ending though.. reading from your page,I'm glad I went back to again read this passionate growl of a perfect poem! Your anger is penetrating, your words merciless and awesome. You do fight constantly for justice - this quality to stand up against it all is admirable and stunning. Always, Laura

Justin Bordner
Date: 7/25/2015 2:03:00 AM

To earn, and demand respect, the justice of a survivor Laura...there is a growl innate in this poem, you are so right! Sometimes we arrive at a special pulse in our lives, where the heart growls at injustice and cares not of the consequences...I love the way you relate to me...J.A.B.

Subash Roy

Date: 3/13/2015 2:46:00 AM

Well-expressed poem!

Justin Bordner
Date: 3/13/2015 8:20:00 PM

Thank you Subash...justice and dignity well expressed was the objective of not only this poem, but of my life...I do my best, with the blessings of Providence...J.A.B.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 10/27/2014 2:35:00 AM

Well it's obvious you didn't need no stink' education! At least the way that it's implemented here. Wasn't it Plato that stated: College polishes pebbles, but dims diamonds? Let those creatives juices keep a'flowing :) I wrote a poem you might like that has to do with the topic of education, dreams, potential etc. called Rainbows Dreaming of Gray.

Justin Bordner
Date: 10/31/2014 8:35:00 PM

The maxim you provide above is an poetically wise illustration of how conformity can constrain creativity which in turn confines genius, a potential we all are born with but which can be retarded, or stolen from us via indoctrination. I was very intellectually stimulated by Plato's renditions of Socrates' Dialogues. I will soon study Plato's Republic...I did not enjoy Plato's Timeas and Crato work. Thanks for your erudite comment and strong poetry. J.A.B.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 10/23/2014 2:34:00 PM

Such passion! Such righteous rage! And yet in the end you come back to your senses with a profound message - a boss is a leader not a slave driver! I know I already said this, but wow... you really must have studied hard in English Class with all your superior vocabulary prowess. Only read two so far, but I think I just might add you to my favorite poets list.

Justin Bordner
Date: 10/25/2014 2:38:00 PM

My sense of self respect and justice have never been more keen as I composed this poem Timothy. I flunked my government education for the most part, willpower and Providence are my motivators, along with my Muses, I'm self taught, self motivated, and I have never used a thesaurus. Thank you for the awesome praise my friend. J.A.B.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 6/24/2014 1:47:00 AM

WOW! You surely told them....all those who abuse the ones who make the business what it is. This goes into the world of acadamia as well. I should know....Oh, the success of any institution is in the hands of the workers...Leadership is vision, but even that can come from below, like the ringi method in Japan. Very powerful and moving write, Justin. You are so gifted!

Justin Bordner
Date: 6/24/2014 8:18:00 PM

Yes Eileen, at the begining and end of each day, and when we " meet our Maker " the only title that matters is positive soul or negative soul. I have my dignity, and through Providence I happily possess positive integrity. We often see and achieve more when looking up visa vis staring downwards. You may find powerful insight from the great scholars John Gatto and Charolette Isyrbet. Thank you so much Eileen. The Japanese refetence is interesting.

Karen Anglesey

Date: 9/5/2013 8:40:00 PM

Love this line "wipe your cracks with your silly 'write ups' and legal circumspection bull-slit,"... I am proud to say I have pretty much always had the cajones to stand up to many unjusts in the workplace for myself and others ... very liberating !

Justin Bordner
Date: 9/6/2013 2:24:00 PM

Crass and cogent is the message Karen - I just had to get serious and speak unequivocally - as a warrior you can relate to this modern conumfrum - that line is absolutely quintessential - glad you identified it - J.A.B. %

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 3/28/2013 10:00:00 PM

Justin, stopping by to say hi, and wish you an early Happy Easter, just in case I don't have time to stop by in the next few days. take care and have yourself a good one~ Always & Forever *LINDA"

Justin Bordner
Date: 3/29/2013 2:35:00 PM

Thank you Linda - I love your heart - J.A.B. %

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 2/10/2013 2:22:00 PM

How wonderful it would be to work together and not for eachother..Unfortunately many people mal use their power or try to take advantage of others..but that happens everywhere i guess.We just have to remember what doesnt kill us makes us stronger.Powerful poem.

Justin Bordner
Date: 2/10/2013 3:18:00 PM

Well said Charmaine, but sometimes that which we do not allow to destroy us makes us more mean spirited too - I believe this is how many good-intention people who become 'managers' of others are corrupted - we must sustain our will-power my friend or else 'we run the risk' of becoming mallicious creatures making the world worse off - J.A.B. %

Elizabeth Wesley

Date: 1/29/2013 6:45:00 PM

I have a feeling it is real, that you've been through each confusing degradation and had the courage to stand up and put the perpetrators in their place. My daughter has had a nervous breakdown for just these reasons and I would be honored if I can copy this and send to her. Sharing an experience like this is a source of strength! Love, Lizzie

Justin Bordner
Date: 1/31/2013 3:14:00 PM

You are correct Lizzie, its all too real, and this is only half the history, but its mine, and I'm respectful of the failures and proud of the victories in the 'workplace' - I am honored to think that this write could bring a smile, or even a sense of redemption to your girl - thanks for the support - J.A.B. %

Michelle Mac Donald

Date: 1/21/2013 9:35:00 AM

Ouf...sounds like you're at the end of your tolerance and patience, Justin! The 'end of the world' hadn't come about in 2012, but I'm thinking that it has changed the opinions and assessment of more than a few. Very powerful write, Justin. Keep well...love, Mikki

Justin Bordner
Date: 1/21/2013 12:32:00 PM

Thanks Mikki - as the beautiful aphorism goes , " Get busy livin or get busy die'n..." I might die poor, but I won't die being a Punk - anyhow, I plan on livin for a long long while, and happily and full of pride too! J.A.B. %

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 1/17/2013 6:10:00 PM

Hell yah, Justin! YOU TELL THEM.. Awesome piece!! Always, Laura

Justin Bordner
Date: 1/18/2013 1:10:00 PM

As the adage goes Laura, " Never give respect to those who deny you deserved respect..." Thanks for the support my friend - J.A.B. %

David Williams

Date: 1/13/2013 6:59:00 AM

Justin very fine words...David

Justin Bordner
Date: 1/14/2013 1:16:00 PM

Thanks David - I wonder if management would agree - J.A.B. %

Jay Loveless

Date: 1/9/2013 7:09:00 PM

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you Justin! I seriously want to take this brilliant piece of literature and shove it down my bosses throat for breakfast! You deserve a standing applause.. You deserve a trophy or a metal of honor! You deserve all these people reading your damn poem to actually comment on it! Because I'll be damned but i think you just read the minds of ever freaking hard working man and woman. I know you've read mine!

Laura Breidenthal
Date: 1/17/2013 6:14:00 PM

Love this comment :)

Justin Bordner
Date: 1/10/2013 12:59:00 PM

good natured, disciplined people all over the world - we are involved involuntarily with a vicious assault against our livelihoods, dignity, and souls - thank you my friend for understanding, and for being with me on this stance - J.A.B. %

Justin Bordner
Date: 1/10/2013 12:55:00 PM

Damn Jay, your response to my work here makes my soul glow a little brighter today - I thank you - this write is a type of revolutionary statement, and I was truly hoping to receive not necessarily acclaim for it but rather affirmatiom that I am not alone in being totally repulsed by the ridiculous circumstances that 'Corporate America', in concert with it's prevailing business management doctrines harmfully foists upon tens of millions of good natured, disciplined people