Acceptance

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

.

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