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Labour Day
Written 28 April 2024
“Genius begins great works. Labour alone finishes them.”
Joseph Joubert
Labour Day
On Labour Day of first of May
Let us pay homage to great souls
Who by dint of their precious say,
By dint of their decisive role
In the struggle for workers` rights
Did not pay heed to their own plight.
Let us cherish the daring roars
Of pioneers, whether stationed
At home or in the distant shores,
Who improved working conditions,
Brought rays of hope in workers` life
And some light in their daily strife.
Let us pay tribute to heroes,
Who on the place of work were shot
Or on the road were dealt blows
And for life sustained heavy blots
For fair protests lodged in tandem
On the pittance dished out to them.
Let`s hold in the highest esteem
Legislators who did prescribe
In the law, themselves to redeem
In the eyes of the working tribe,
Rights to safeguard the working class
And shine as champions of the mass.
Let us chant hymns of labour unions
That through patient perseverance
And years of workers` unison
Did press for legal adherence
For improving all workers` fate
And their due share to allocate.
On Labour Day and everyday
Let`s greet dignity of labour,
Reflect on struggles on the way,
Across centuries, to favour
A just, fair and sound relation
In process of wealth creation.
On Labour Day and everyday
Let us honour those who do strive
In bitter cold and have no say.,
Those who toil with their heart alive
As those with white collars and pen
Who mould the destiny of men.
On Labour Day and everyday
Let`s pay respect to all workers
Whether toiling in central mills,
Whether wielding weighty hammers
Or sweating in the sun in fields:
Whether the tasks are big or small
The same dignity have they all.
Copyright ©
Krishnanand Guptar
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