An Early Retirement Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

There's an ad on TV about retiring.
I'm not worried about retiring.
I'm retiring from life early.
It means I'm not... traditionally
going to live long enough to retire.

Just like all the old boiler makers in trade.
Who worked all those years, welding
inside pipes, and other enclosed spaces, places.
Sucking in all those harmful toxic fumes.
None of them lived long enough to retire.

Just like my father the carpenter.
An era when honest men daily worked up a blinder.

Just like my father hardest working carpenter.
Who worked all those long years, man-handling
heavy loads. Concreting, steel, heavy beams.
Straining the heart, arteries, neck, back, hands.
Working up a triple hernia. Before being killed
off, from lead based paint, and asbestos residue.

It is only management! And white collar workers!
Who have to worry, about saving, for retirement.
Worrying about, all that extra weight, accumulating.
On their lard asses, from all that gourmet cuisine.
While a real worker, will think he's done himself
proud, on pizza, fish and chips, and a few beers.

Just the ticket. Just the ticket. For a really good time.
Just about the only ticket, a real worker can afford.
To purchase, on his dismal daily pay, while paying rent.
Workers are dying. Instead of worrying about retiring.


Copyright © Terence George Craddock