winter work

you had to work

fast

in order to keep your job.

quick of hand

and foot.

no quarrels

or complaints.

just go and get it done.

tomorrow

you'll do the same.

if you work hard

and keep

your nose clean

and arrive on time.

up the building went

and you with

it.

until complete.

friday you picked up

your check.

and took out

the paper

to find another job,

a hundred

men like you

in line in the cold,

stamping

their feet.