POETRY

How Mindless Piece Work Built Community

Factory work as a teen in the 1950s

This is almost a replica of my work station. Image by from

One Piece at a Time

“Morning” and “How do” filled the stale air
as soggy boots thumped their way
up worn wooden stairs
from the rain-drenched street.

When coats were hung
and chairs were shuffled
the clanging and whirring of metal began
and only ceased when the whistle blew.

Interspersed with resounding metal
from the momentum of machines
was the thud of newly-sewn leather
dropping unceremoniously
into steel bins beside each worker.

And when the whistle blew midday
we shuffled like herded sheep
down the corridor to the dingy
panelled hall without windows.

Reminiscent of schooldays
we dutifully formed a line
and received our daily dose
of something resembling
meat and mashed potatoes.