An Honest Day's Work Poem by Paula Glynn

Starting out in life as a streetwise sixteen year old
He believes he is a winner completing school
That because he is confident and bold
Life will be a vase of romantic red roses
Where life is kind:
But life is not kind.

Starting out with skilled work
Paying for rent and food on the table
A traditional wife and a traditional home
Children depending on him working
But he struggles to pay the bills
He dreads standing at the shop tills.

His kids are growing taller by the day
For their new school shoes he has to pay
Even taking out a credit card on payday
But now he is thousands of pounds in debt
And he cries in the way Jesus wept
His honest day's work no longer so honest.

His family don't know about his life of crime
They don't know he risks doing prison time
All so he can pay the bills on time
And treat his family to summer holidays
And support their important school careers
But he meets evil people through his criminal work.

People waiting at night to slit your throat
If you forget to cut them a part of the profit
Criminal deals daily made with the threat of a blade
The Kingpin you risk knowing your name
But you need to pay your taxes
You need to support your lifestyle.

He cannot tell what form of crime he participates in
But he draws the line at murder:
He doesn't want blood on his hands
He just hopes if ever caught and a lesson is taught
His family will support him and understand
For he was trapped being poor and desolate.

And who can say what average Joe and Jane
Would do if they were in dire straits
They may be forced into the world of crime
The lack of permanent work could push them
Into unfortunately breaking the law
Even though they know the potentially harmful score.

It isn't a long road between a house
And the cold, cold winter mean streets
Where other victims of circumstance you do meet
Because keeping out of the bitterly cold snow
For criminals is more important than following legal actions
Activities not to advertise but done nevertheless.

No one can predict their future finances
No one can assume they'll stay working
No one can get away with killing for money
No one can assume they'll win the lottery
No one can always expect inheritance
No one can be sure of their next benefit payment.

It is a complex and confusing world
Where the rich must thank their lucky stars
That they have endless access to money
Where they have a cosy home in winter
Where they don't live under criminal power
Criminality the interesting topic of the hour.