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Some classic poems on work, collected by Peter Desmond. The Mayor of Gary (fourth poem down) by Carl Sandburg Jorge the Church Janitor Finally Quits by Martin Espada What Work Is by Philip Levine Shirt by Robert Pinsky Digging by Seamus Heaney |
Overhand the Hammers Swing: Poems of Work (a special exihibit curated by Philip Levine). Poems about Work (Callahan's 1999 Poetry Contest). |
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by Peter Desmond poema encontrado escrito en el lado de una caja de carton en harvard yard esta tarde de primavera durante la leccion de salsa que tuvo lugar entre las cinco y las seis ante el edificio ocupado por los 39 estudiantes desde hace doce dias (la musica era alegre pero la policia no bailaba) "Ay, San Anselmo, que me suban ese sueldo! "Ay, San Macario, queremos mejor salario! "Ay, Santo Enero, Ellos tienen el dinero! "Ay, Santa Alicia, Exigimos la justicia! "Ay, San Fernando, Estamos aqui luchando! "Ay, San Francisco, Diez veinticinco! "Ay, San Patricio, Que nos den los beneficios!" |
YOUNG URBAN PROFESSIONALS 2001 Mick Cusimano Yuppies pour into the streets at 5 If you're a junior executive it's great to be alive Porsches & condos the highest in status The envy of neighbors who love to look at us. Climb that ladder get ahead in society No room in the corporate structure for piety. My parents are proud of me I have a career It's surrealists and poverty that I really fear A computer kid from college is after my job He drinks beer from a bottle Oh what a slob! But I'm an executive at the top of the heap And my dividends multiply every night while I sleep. |
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by B. Gleed Hey Neil, Cut a deal- Give the guy a break. All they want's a roof over their head and to be able to afford to commute. They set out the chairs for your big international conference. They make the coffee for your early morning continental meet and greet. They make sure your parking place is empty. They don't need to see their kids. They don't mind the second job. They like bagging groceries after putting in an eight hour day. Ya know Neil, You could cut a deal. President of a big University, yeah you are, sure, But who's teaching who? Seems we right here got a lesson for you. But you say two years ago, We don't need no stinking wage standard and you say two weeks ago,We will not be adopting a living wage. Who cares who cooks what the students eat? Or where the students sleep? If those janitors want another job let them get it, right Neil? The people who make you look good are making you look bad. It's time to cut a deal Neil. |