The Software Worker Poem by Muralitharan Mauran

A worker who maketh software - she
sells her brains for a wage daily
A worker who maketh software - he
sells his brains for a wage daily

Highly learned and blessed with
fortune to draw six figure wages

Lap-top hanging on shoulder - a
white earphone in the ear canal
hooked to the latest cell telephone - a
touch screen tablet ready at hand

Compelled to buy new electronics
whenever gadgets do reach market

Knows not the heat of scorching sun - for
cool air blows through the office AC
Knows not the poverty in his land - the
work place simply shimmers and shines

When word comes from high up about lay-offs
it sweats amid cold to count days left

Feet are rooted in native soil - but
the mind is seated well in the West
Life goes on on a daily wage - but
the mindset is that of a capitalist

Walks on ground while thought's sky high
Life goes on in unsure myths

Workers in tea plantations - they
have unions to demand justice
Garment factory workers too - have
in unity demanded all their rights

Like dogs do plead software toilers
stretched out at HR manager's feet

You too toil as an employee - this
truth you learn and come together
Think who steals and soaks up all - your
hard toil deprived of leisure

Do come forth and smash and change
the system that plunders you and me

A worker who maketh software - now
a comrade of the toiling folk
A worker who maketh software - now
if mind is made up, a militant too

Come forth let us join in fight
to make a new world, new justice