Sigrid Ermine Poet Free verse

The Fat End

We are the workers, call us 
an hour before an absent fill shift
The pyramid sprouts atop of
The heavy depths of broad ordinary, 
Breadth mopped and swept

Silent cogs push motion
Everywhere, rarely heralded
Carpet of field mice scrambling

Part of the pattern, crucial 
Expectations remain ingrained 
Pith of the fruit, flavour generic
Bolster of bricks protects 
Lighthouse of blinding brains

Scratching hand to steerhouse
Tightening bolts, scrubbing deck
Nugget behind their high shine

We are the labourers, casual pay
covers days not at work, sticking
To meagre styles, life defined
By the hemming, wage stemmed 
 - Can't afford to ask questions 

Surge of activity, pothole filled
Inhibited by flurry, imagination aside
Menial smooths the cement

Minimum makes no plans
beyond next week, when, - if
I have a job. We will do any dirty
Demeaning chore, and thank you for 
Your grace in giving it to us



6th August 2020

It Sucks  - Contest

Kai Michael Neumann - Sponsor

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gershon Wolf August 9, 2020 at 7:52 PM The whole paradigm surely sucks --- but there is dignity in any work, no matter how 'lowly' ~ Former Kibbutznik

Anisha Dutta August 8, 2020 at 9:35 PM Right you are.I agree wih you. Best Wishes.

Andrea Dietrich August 8, 2020 at 4:03 PM yeah, sure sucks. Just wait till we all get vaccinated. . .

Pashang Salehi August 7, 2020 at 10:49 AM This is a Beautiful expression, my friend Sigrid Ermine August 7, 2020 at 5:13 PM Thank you, Pashang

John Gondolf August 6, 2020 at 8:52 AM If all laborers were bosses, there would be on one to do the menial jobs and if all menial laborers were paid the same as their bosses there would be no bosses and the work would not get done. You must have a hierarchy in business. Just my humble thoughts. John Sigrid Ermine August 6, 2020 at 3:05 PM Humble thanks, John. I completely agree. Your observation is inescapable. I'm just presenting the point of view of menial worker, and on occasions people of power on all levels got there through sheer connection. Low paid workers are often highly skilled. I very much appreciate a comment, because as a writer, there's a question in my head, is this theme translating? Glad it did!