IN THE TRENCHES GASSED BY FARTS
I sell most all my
days for pay
then the nights are
stolen from me
thinking about shit while
zoned out in front of the TV.
On my feet all day for taxed minimum wage;
On my feet all day for taxed minimum wage;
on my ass all night relaxed,
glad the old lady
doesn’t want to fight
again about my failure and the kids empty belly.
I was doing better years ago, flying alone; you know solo.
I was doing better years ago, flying alone; you know solo.
I guess the bosses
prefer it that way for the likes of me
sure as fuck they don’t
let me sell my labor for enough to raise a family.
What I really don’t understand
is what happened
between my grandfather’s
labor day and mine.
He worked harder than
me for less money yet he raised his family just fine.
© M Durfee
9/23/13
Well, we're told it's all our fault if we're not hedge fund millionaires by now. Must have smoked too much dope or somethin'.
ReplyDeleteYep Denise we wasted time smoking it while they sold it to us.
DeletePart of it is probably us. Part is the times we live in, and no one escapes those times.
ReplyDeleteNpo one escapes their generation Charles 'cept through death and that is what happened. so many of them who would have led us in a different direction were murdered on the capitol steps.
Deletebeing single we have less commitments and are willing to work longer to fill our time....surely they would love to keep us single...
ReplyDeleteI don't thik so Brian they would love to keep us having more kids to earn a small wage they could steal from. 10 billion pennies is as good as ten million dollars when you are no supporting the 10 billion who gave a penny each.
DeleteThe good old days were really good old days.
ReplyDeleteI would say Grandpa was making at least forty bucks an hour in today's money.
van you know they had hard times to, many out of work but still they had something else that held them together in communities. Detroit did not fall apart in the 30's and there was a 25-50% unemployment rate depending on your ethnicity.
DeleteHappiness is about the choice not to be bullied by anyone into anything ... your grandfather knew that :)
ReplyDeleteMY grandfather was a bad ass but he also had absolutely no qualms about helping his neighbors.
DeleteSomehow they used to stretch money like an elastic...and it seems now the elastics we stretch just don't have it...they end up snapping.
ReplyDeleteTalon I am glad you said they not the money. I was trying to bring out the character changes in the last line. We could regain that character but everyone it seems is too afraid to give something back.
DeleteI wonder the same thing...
ReplyDeleteLove
kj
kj...There is an answer but it is wrapped up in SO MANY social sciences it is hard to see the simplicity of the truth.
DeleteWhat happened, indeed . . . Extended families are scattered families. I saw recently that 1 in three of all Americans are holed up alone now. Waiting for Obamacare to kick in before they get kicked out.
ReplyDeleteErik I need a further explanation of the second sentence, I think that the first is a major reason
DeleteMark-Sigh...I hope you are not too sad. xo
ReplyDeleteThe family social unit has crumbled. People move away. The sense of community is gone. People have to fare for themselves because others are too busy to even raise a finger to help or to even see if you are alive. I see the situation as being sad. No body seems to care much about others anymore. Circle the wagons tighter and tighter.
ReplyDelete