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Working Class Hero
Work until your bones are brittle
and your skin is worn and rough.
The work is hard and the pay is little
Boy, you gotta' be tough!
Take that spade and dig that hole;
Forget your hopes and dreams.
Now that's the spirit, boy!
It's not so bad, you see?
Have I become a slave to wages;
Merely working to survive?
As my aching body ages,
Sometimes it hurts to be alive...
But that's the price you pay,
For the comfort of a little room;
A place to rest the night away
When a long days work is through.
At night you'll lie in bed alone,
Where you dream of better days;
To forget the harsh reality,
To wish it all away.
And when the sun comes up again,
It's back to work for you.
Now dig another hole, my friend;
But this time, it's for you...
and your skin is worn and rough.
The work is hard and the pay is little
Boy, you gotta' be tough!
Take that spade and dig that hole;
Forget your hopes and dreams.
Now that's the spirit, boy!
It's not so bad, you see?
Have I become a slave to wages;
Merely working to survive?
As my aching body ages,
Sometimes it hurts to be alive...
But that's the price you pay,
For the comfort of a little room;
A place to rest the night away
When a long days work is through.
At night you'll lie in bed alone,
Where you dream of better days;
To forget the harsh reality,
To wish it all away.
And when the sun comes up again,
It's back to work for you.
Now dig another hole, my friend;
But this time, it's for you...
Published 16th Apr 2019
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likes 12
reading list entries 5
comments 17
reads 1074
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The author encourages honest critique.
16th Apr 2019 1:06pm
How sweet; you wrote a poem about me lol j/k. Sometimes I feel like that. Unfortunately my situation right now doesn't give me the luxury of looking for a better job. Though that's the story of many.
Just for you, heh. I know the feeling well. This poem was mostly inspired by me working 2 jobs to make just enough to scrape by, and not having any time to myself for hobbies to enjoy the things I work for. I got about 5 and a half hours of sleep last night, but at least I was able to get this out of my system... :). Somewhat of an internal dialogue, but also aimed at those who are in similar situations. Hence most of it being in second person. Feeling the Pink Floyd vibe:
'Run, rabbit run
Dig that hole - forget the sun
And when at last the work is done
Don't sit down it's time to dig another one'
Anyway, thanks DevilsChild for taking the time to read and comment. It means a lot. Thanks to the others that read and RLed too!
'Run, rabbit run
Dig that hole - forget the sun
And when at last the work is done
Don't sit down it's time to dig another one'
Anyway, thanks DevilsChild for taking the time to read and comment. It means a lot. Thanks to the others that read and RLed too!
16th Apr 2019 6:13pm
Well I relate all too well. I worked two jobs before. One was 15 hours over night and the other was supposed to be 8, but I convinced them to let me go home early some days. Also tried working while doing schooling full time. Yeah, it's a crazy way to live. You learn to value a lot after that.
16th Apr 2019 6:46pm
Very true...
I really miss this website and all of the talented poets and kind souls that inhabit it. Most of all, I miss having time to write, or to even think deeply about things. Makes you appreciate the things you once took for granted, I guess.
I feel bad. There's still lots of comments on here I haven't replied to.
I really miss this website and all of the talented poets and kind souls that inhabit it. Most of all, I miss having time to write, or to even think deeply about things. Makes you appreciate the things you once took for granted, I guess.
I feel bad. There's still lots of comments on here I haven't replied to.
16th Apr 2019 7:51pm
Life comes first. Just keep at it and one day it will pay off in one way or another.
17th Apr 2019 3:00am
Wow. Straight up. Very relatable to the plight of many. Think I landed a new job today, will know by Friday. Otherwise, keep on hunting.
Daniel
Daniel
17th Apr 2019 6:27am
Best of luck with that, sir! I hope it's a good one. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment, Daniel
Anonymous
- Edited 16th Jul 2019 12:45pm
24th Apr 2019 4:06am
<< post removed >>
27th Apr 2019 8:06pm
Aww all work and no play life seems sometimes, just dig dig dig until the grave is dug eh as you say so awesome creatively I really liked your poem lots! You rhymed it meaningfully in a remarkable way in enviable flow I'm glad to come read u today. Kudos for a poetic wonder I didn't miss.
Pls Pleez do review/comment my newest poem too
Pls Pleez do review/comment my newest poem too
8th Dec 2019 11:59am
A poetic wonder? Thanks so much for that wonderful compliment. I truly appreciate your time and your flattery :)
7th May 2019 6:22pm
23rd May 2019 10:12pm
15th Dec 2019 00:50am
Wait,do I get paid for digging the last hole in the poem as well ...or is that one " on the house"? Roofing and Tree Service and Concrete Work...and a whole cavalry of soul sucking jobs.A friend once said 'work,the real capital punishment.
28th Dec 2019 2:35pm
You get paid to dig the hole, but then your family has to take the money you earned to pay someone to pretty you up and put you in a casket in the hole. It's really a shame that even death is a business in this world, with the average funeral costing 7,000 - 10,000.
Boy, do I know the feeling. Hard physical labor will really wear your body out... Although I'm glad that you can relate, I feel for you.
I appreciate you stopping by, nick, and I'm honored by your RL! Thanks for your input...!
Boy, do I know the feeling. Hard physical labor will really wear your body out... Although I'm glad that you can relate, I feel for you.
I appreciate you stopping by, nick, and I'm honored by your RL! Thanks for your input...!
29th Dec 2019 1:50pm
Anonymous
- Edited 29th Oct 2021 1:45am
12th Jan 2020 11:42am
<< post removed >>
29th Mar 2020 10:58am
I can relate to your poem ... I was inspired by John Lennon to write about 'A Middle Class Hero' https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/346508-a-middle-class-hero/
