Best Workplace Poems
To those who should have heard my plea—
I write not bitter, but silently.
In shadows where the messages fade,
I found myself in silence laid.
It started with a hopeful thread,
A truth that whispered, softly said,
To stir the waters, call a friend—
But stillness echoed to no end.
No ripples came, no words replied,
Just empty space where trust had died.
“You need not come,” the silence spoke,
A quiet cut, a broken cloak.
A classroom once alive with song,
Where voices small would all belong,
Was handed off without a sign—
No farewell note, no last line.
I vanished in the digital night,
Replaced by names that felt not right.
No hand to hold, no final face,
Just absence carved in empty space.
Is this the way to lead the way?
With shadows deep and words that stray?
You teach respect but do not show—
Where did your empathy go?
You sever ties without a thought,
Ignoring wounds your cuts have wrought.
Is power all you seek to claim,
Or listening with heart aflame?
I am a teacher, flesh and bone,
With dreams and fears, not made of stone.
I pay my dues, I stand my ground,
Though silence tries to keep me bound.
But silence wins not here, not now,
Nor fear, nor cold, nor hidden vow.
My voice will rise beyond your walls—
A light that shines when darkness falls.
My final lesson, softly told,
In halls of light, both bright and bold,
Where children learn and spirits soar—
That’s why I teach, forevermore.
Though health now calls me to retreat,
And closure hides in shadows sweet,
I hold within what none can take—
My truth, my heart, no one can break.
—And that will be my lasting flame,
A whispered name beyond the shame.
I heard women have ruined the workplace,
By showing what it means to lead with grace.
We still make far less money than men,
Yet have more sway with the sword and pen.
We ruined the meetings, made them an email,
We worked together to succeed, not fail.
Held men accountable for their actions,
Came here to work, not to be distractions.
We ruined inappropriate chatter,
Modeled respect - the heart of the matter.
We led with patience and confidence,
Showed that true leaders use evidence.
We ruined the workplace to include us.
Now when men react, they cannot make a fuss.
They have to treat us like we’re humans too -
The horror, the shock, the rumors were true.
We ruined the long-standing lack of empathy,
Replaced it with compassion and transparency.
We listened and mentored, made people feel heard,
A shift in the mindset - and progress occurred.
We ruined the toxic culture which isn’t fair,
Moving the needle for redemption and repair.
Call it destruction or a needed rebirth,
We ruined the workplace by knowing our worth.
A Workplace Prayer
Written: by Tom Wright
1998
Lord, as we gather
at our places of work each day.
Let us do our tasks, with others,
in one accord we pray.
If it be day or dark of night
let us be found.
At counter, desk, or mundane task
or on appointed round.
As you forever watch our lives
Lord, keep us humble.
Forgiving us if because of self
we should err and stumble.
If in our day there might be things
we perceive as being wrong.
Lord, grant us grace to not complain
but place within our hearts a song.
Let us see within ourselves
all things, as you Lord, see.
With others not being cross
nor giving them occasion to be.
Let us have no part in sniping
or passing some tale that's lame.
Asking ourselves first, what good can come
if another's character we should defame?
Let us look upon our daily contacts
as blessings sent our way.
Finding within our hearts for each
naught but kind words to say.
Presenting none an occasion
to be dissatisfied or to grieve.
But through our smiles, let them see you
as they prepare to leave.
Help us to always be ever mindful
of our service owed to You.
Giving thanks for blessing each
with such great jobs to do.
Quote from Hugh Prather: "Most of the conversations I hear
are carried on as if there really were such a thing as an answer
and as if the people present were actually in possession of it."
Shouldn't we all adopt
some sort of "busy" pretext,
display fake fronts intended
to suggest determined aims
are being seriously pursued?
Wouldn't everyone believe
that we are "busy" people --
intent upon accomplishment
important to ourselves and others?
Isn't there some conflict between concepts
of "empowerment" and of "involvement" --
of "delegation" and of "taking ownership"
(directing, guiding -- dictating, really)?
Consider whether these are not
confusing opposites -- messages
easily regurgitated: mere facile
managerial sloganeering....
(Uncertainty, easily detected,
is usually condemned.)
Doesn't everyone read Dilbert?
And who remembers
"Ready....fire....aim!"
Workplace harassment is rife, alive and well,
Occurring too often in this pseudo company.
Derogatory, condescending words roared, inches from your face,
Sounding like a battlesque symphony.
People in charge making foolish demands,
Then usurping workers places, employing visible stealth.
Not being productive, effective or profitable,
To any of the workers, or for the companies health.
Forcing workers to feel small, inadequate, not bright,
Forcing workers to accept their lot in life.
And, to any workers who bring up any questions,
Publicly back stabbing them, with a knife.
Workplace harassment in this office, it’s cruel and demeaning,
To the folks just plying their trade.
It’s easy to see the bullies in charge, strutting around,
Ready, waiting, clasping a shiny switchblade.
It's a celebration of life,
It's a celebration of self,
An inner spirit and style,
expressed thru blazes of color.
Daring to be an original,
in a gallery of the commonplace.
9 out of 10 women
At my company
Accused me of sexual harassment
And are suing me
And I’m being sued for discrimination
By plain Jane my 10th employee
Think you’ve got the workplace blues
No matter what work you do
These words will hopefully inspire you
Yes, your job may be redundant
But the paychecks are abundant
Some days you will get off track
But the next day know your plan of attack
Bring a smile and get it back
If your productivity is ever low
Learn from the experience and continue to grow
Remember, “You reap what you sow”
Keeping a positive attitude can sometimes be rough
Remembering your mission and purpose is often enough
Embrace what’s in your control and let go of the small stuff
There’s no need to be discouraged
Each day someone’s dreams you encourage
As cliché’ as it may seem
You are the gateway to many dreams
Recognize the value in what that means
No need for the Workplace Blues
Instead, work on the attitude you choose
Think of the many lives enriched by you
Lay
I’ve got much pressure when I entered the office
On my first day of work it’s really hard to please
To bring accord is part of my job depiction
Got to do this as part of team’s expectation
Colleagues have their own personal differences
Should cope so I’ll not be broken into pieces
How blessed I am to have such kind of officemates
I feel like I belong and one of the teammates
Thanks God for the love, peace strength, guidance and wisdom
Able to do my job as there’s no cause to boredom
I am A Night Owl
By: Noel N. Villarosa
June 4, 2022
Staring long at the laptop
My workplace is quiet
Active and mentally tip top
I am an owl that flies at night
Night sorting and engaging that way
Was a man deep in his thinking
Working with a good employer that will stay
Energy peaks naturally in the evening
With refreshed curious eyes
I cast my shadow on a resting morning lark
I took over his time taking calls on the rise
I make a living, if not in the dark
I am alone in my room
It’s just me and the moon
If I failed to bring you where flowers bloom
At the end of shift work, I’ll talk to you too soon
Everything is going right at night
It only takes a search, analysis, and brilliant call
The right approach will make me see the light
Finding matched criteria, I can relate them all
You are much like me, I guess
We have ups and downs
But would you pity more, or we say less
If there’s nothing to offer, I’ll see you around
I will watch you in the dark while dreams run
For the only place that fits my work
I work from home, closer to my loved ones
To feel the breeze reveals another dawn to spark
Also posted on my LinkedIn account.
I shivered, and dreaded her face
As she put me in a test every morning
I can never please her
Her way or no way!
This thing called EVALUATION
Is so subjective
It can’t be objective
When one is prejudiced.
But, how many ways can you peel a banana?
Or, how many ways can you dress a chicken?
How many ways can you put coffee in your cup?
Or, how many ways can you style your hair?
I catapulted to a higher ground
Aha! I am on top of everything!
KUDOS TO MYSELF!
There were meadows free to the far,
Clean, green and quiet calm.
Pebbles and stones, scattered,
As in the blue sky’s stars’ view.
On a remote-side grew wild thorns high,
Played the bees and b‘flies and I;
And the good dog passing by had watched us
On his hurried walk
From an afar village
To the distant one.
By the broken-burnt mulberry,
Lone, half erect and half down,
Goats grazed with caws and sheep
And the old herdsman with his tiffin and cane,
Called, cried, whistled and ran.
Tension’s thick and I feel your reaction
Workplace under a spirit of control
Oh this is just a major distraction
It’s making you miss the primary goal
Keep your focus on what God has in store
Workplace under a spirit of control
Please listen quietly and shut the door
Block out the noise for there is so much more
Keep your focus on what God has before
I know you don’t want to become hardcore
There is a blessing waiting there for you
Block out the noise there is so much in store
With the help of God you can make it through
Nothing is to hard for God up above
There is a blessing waiting there for you
Encourage each other and spread your love
Tension’s thick and I feel your reaction
There is a blessing waiting there for you
Oh this is just a major distraction
be on the lookout
for those who are curious about your personal affairs
at the workplace
be on the lookout for those who are always hanging around you &
other workers, asking questions about things that they can hardly relate to
be on the lookout
for those that leave the warehouse floor often
only to come strolling back with an authority figure ready to dish out punishment &
pink slips
be on the lookout
for those that laugh at the man’s jokes &
who are the first to tell them about their weekend in vivid detail when asked
be on the lookout
for those that are always concerned about the quotas to the point that they themselves hint at what needs to be done to their other coworkers
be on the lookout
for those that come early/stay late, take on extra responsibilities that were not mentioned in the initial interview & who are wearing headphones while working but always seem to be able to chime into any conversation around them whenever they see fit
be on the lookout
for those who get dealt with differently when disciplined, making their reprimand seem ever-so-soft in comparison to the way others are dealt with for the same infractions
be on the lookout
for the narc who roams your own workplace,
slithering in the grass & waiting to sell you down the river,
putting notches in their Dudley Do-Right belt,
stopping at nothing in order to climb up that ladder.
Our patient needed some minor in-office surgery
This is a true story, can't sue me for perjury
Our new Dr M asked us the room to prepare
The next thing that happened is true, I swear.
The patient is ready, scared, and holding my hand
When in walked the Dr, its not we'd planned!
Wearing coveralls that had bold words on the front
BOB'S AUTO REPAIR ,what as asinine stunt!
The Doc is laughing, he thinks it' a grand joke
The patient, alarmed, had started to choke.
With great authority to the Dr I said..
"Go chance your clothes" as I'm seeing red
He meekly turned and slunk out the door
And BOB'S AUTO REPAIR was seen no more...,..
A true story.......
More than 10 lines so it won't be accepted for the contest..but I wanted to share it anyway..
Boy, do I have Dr stories lol