* 2024 WINNER IA Writing Competition: Most Enthralling Creative Work category. You can read the excellent work of all our finalists HERE.
*****
Changing the words
It takes most of our time,
shaping our days
for most of our lives —
relentless and constant as breathing…
And for most it’s a chore —
the black rock that hovers
like the threat of a storm,
at the tail end of Sunday
It’s the treadmill we plod
through five weary days
just hanging on
for the two-day respite
But always the thunder —
the thunder of Sunday
growling its warning,
relentless, constant as breathing
Luxury!
Five days! Weekend!
Constant hours, predictable life
I wish
Try and imagine
what life is like now
No constant pay slip
Same dollars each week
Meant to be spent on:
food rent petrol utilities
education (and they call it free)…
rego and doctors and RACV
Some aside for repairs
(and they all come together)
car plumbing
termites teeth
Even (god knows!) luxuries
a holiday, treats!
Remember —
we live in the Lucky Country!
And now, FLEXIBILITY!
How does it work? Helps me with childcare?
Come in when we need you
It may not be often and you’ll never know when…
But the bills are not flexible
They’re all too regular
and there’s the awful surprises —
and they all come together
Great for the bosses
Fits in with their needs
Their flexibility
Our precarity
Karen Throssell is an award-winning writer and poet who has had seven poetry collections published. Her poems have appeared in various journals and anthologies. She is the author of The Crime of not Knowing your Crime: Ric Throssell against ASIO.
* Full IA Writing Competition details HERE.
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