BENEFIT

If everybody worked
How many people would
The council have to lay off
In their benefits department,
And then have to re-employ to
Work out the benefit for those now
Out of work, and unable to buy a cap.
And if everybody worked
What would become of those
Souls at the job centre, contracted
Out of their natural environments,
Customs & excise say, where they worked
For years before duty closed their house. What
Would they now do, having already been moved
As sideways as possible with nowhere left but down.
If everybody worked
What would the minister for
Employment do, or education for
That matter, because what would be the
Point of either if there was a constant supply
Of raw material for labour’s demands, regardless
Of intensive market forces or competitive foreigners.
And if everybody worked
What would we have to discuss,
Or moan about, or compare ourselves with:
Who would we frown upon and put down, whom
Would we deride or imply indolence of, or call work
Shy and worthless, how could we judge us improved or
Ladder scaled if everybody took their own dice throw and
Had nothing to fear from snakes.