THE RIGHT TO WORK—POEM TWO (weekly poem)

THE RIGHT TO WORK—POEM TWO

The 'right' to work? Where is this 'right',

And what's it really for?

This 'right' in a society,

That's 'Red in tooth and claw'. (1)

The 'right' of workers everywhere,

To suck-up to the boss;

Who sees them as a dollar sign,

Or dumps them as a loss.

The 'right' of all employees to,

Keep silent and be seen;

As an appendage to some shafts,

Or cogs in a machine.

The 'right', oh yes that special 'right',

Of 'ordinary' folk;

Who work and thus create all wealth,

To be seen as a joke.

The 'right' like businessmen to act,

Like an entrepreneur;

And better one's life as they do,

Without the 'greedy' slur.

And thus the 'right' to go on strike,

To better their month's pay;

And be decried by the same boss,

Who 'earns' more in a day.

(1) 'In Memoriam A.H.H.'--Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

© Richard Layton