SHE HAS TO WORK

She was free from stress, from toil and trouble Her food was cooked and her bath full of bubbles She was spoiled, well dressed, and full of perks But now that she’s reached of age, She has to work.   Her life was full of love and dreams School tuition paid and coffee with cream No more mother to help navigate life’s maze She left home to live another page She’ll have to work.                                                         A new apartment, with cat in hand Now living in another neighborhood land She’s on her own, no meal ticket here She’ll have to face life and all her own fears She has to work.   She’ll still have family to keep her sane She’ll learn to live with success and pain She’s out of her beautiful safety cage, Working for an hourly wage ‘Cause she now has to work.   ©2007 Carolyn Gibson

A FOND HARRAH

How hard it is to move away, To seek a greater find; Yet go I must, to be fulfilled, To expand my curious mind. Through tears, and stress, And late night work, We brought each other through; With mutual support and respect, Our business and professional minds grew. I leave you now, fond memories intact, You will never leave my heart; I’ll take with me the ties that bind, As comrades in work, practicing our art. Every work experience is a rung, To the ladder of success; As I leave you last, and depart the door, I salute you all – You are The Best. ©5/26/06

BOSS HELL

You circle and correct my letters, by saying they’re too strong; You criticize my tone of voice, by saying it’s all wrong. You demand to have your paperwork one hundred percent correct; And then when I request my pay, you always make me sweat. I call and leave you messages, I know you’ll never return; My pages go answered, because you aren’t concerned. You meet when you get ready, and leave pretty much the same; We’re trying to run a business, but to you it’s all a game. You pay your bills with impunity; the bulk goes in the trash; Although you say you pay bills on time, the small business bills usually get paid last. You make them chase their money, by making yourself scarce; But I notice you and those you favor, are never out of cash. You strip us of our dignity, so you can feel secure; You live to see us grovel, be submissive and demure. You keep us weak and sap our strength, so you can have it all; You used to be my hero, now you’re just a man without any balls. 9/7/98