The Kemptown Verses

By JJ Leahy

For Services Rendered

Now Gary a was a worker, on heaver machinery
He’d also sweeps the floor and he made the tea.

A good lad shouting ‘wanker’ – least one forgets
Peaceful, hardworking and afflicted by Tourettes.
Gray he was so happy as any man could be
He enjoyed his work immense and had his dignity.

Until the boss said son, we’re all on the rack
Your time has run out, I’m given you the slack.

Jenny worked long hours, to make ends meet
She would never let her children – sleep on the street;
And the father of her kids for he’d walked out
Good riddance to a drunk and a lazy lout.

She worked so hard, yet nothing is sure
A nine hours day – on the supermarket floor.
The manager said to Jenny, I need to survive
That’s why my girl, here’s your P45.

Nigel was a strong man, never given any slack
Management saw an outcast for his colour was black.
For a pay increase – he’d be last in the queue
Tolerated racial jibes from the small minded few.

The foreman hailed him over, said listen here boy
Times are hard, you’re too costly to employ.
Through his wife’s tears, she said, same old cycle
Just as predicted, by Stockley Carmichael.

Toni and her partner – paid rent on their flat
They were so happy together with their 3 legged cat.
Soldiering PCB boards, until her hands were sore
She needed to keep her job, on the factory floor.

Their overheads were large, but hey join the club
On a Friday night still meet their friends in the pub.
But the supervisor said – work orders are low
I ‘ave never like your sort, so you are the first to go!

Eric was Margaret’s husband and carer
Demetria too had also taken her sister Sarah
At 71 he still needs desperately to work
40 years pension fund stolen, called the owner’s perk
The CEO’s dictate and the humble PA is told
Eric may be a good worker, but we need to sack the old.

Yet those who sold and plundered the fat of the land
Given tens of millions and a send off so grand.

Where as the poor were used – then caste aside
Living in purgatory, but we still have our pride;
Tell me what has really changed, from yesterday
Greedy bankers receive, obscene excessive pay.

Storm clouds explode at a roll of a corporate dice
In recompense of gluttony, the poor pay the price.

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