Insidious punishment
dictates the rhythm of life
the struggle to survive
constant poverty.
.
He studies starts projects
that might turn into income
but needs money to
bring them to fruition.
.
Persistence brings
full-time work elation
until staff-cuts send him
~ and the new suit he could ill-afford ~
packing.
.
The subsistence merry-go-round
swings high and wide…
years pass
short-term jobs come and go
they build their family
accept
life will never be easy
settle
into low-paid work with poor conditions
and long overnight shifts.
.
The cloud of recompense
still hovers decades on
begging the questions…
.
Who pays? and
For how long?
.
c. Kathryn Coughran ~ 24th January 2019
.