First Gong Vol. 8: Thrust FIRST GONG 8 THRUST | Page 164

Cards ban you from withdrawing
And you struggle with withdrawal symptoms
Then you begin to crave work
Even if all you've been doing is a slave's work
You've learnt how pennies fill tummies
Learnt to act fulfilled
When effort is unrecognized and credit is plagiarized
You followed your conscience
And for that, threats of no work
Got you back in line
Because you've seen your friends doing time,
Sentenced to plenty of time
Because when you have bills, having plenty of time seems like a crime
Work is toil
Toil tampers with age and soils youth
You are all the same
Whether you're wearing ties or decked in jungle boots
It's like attending school all over again, because there's a register
Press your thumb, provide proof of location
Work is a daily occasion
It is occupation, because you are occupied,
Someone wishes you to be his legal slave.
And first, she's checking your faith
Interviewer asking whether you are a fanatic
There's calmness in his face, but religion teaches normal lunacy
A man with ideas may be forced to bury his thoughts
The things you will be asked to do in the name of work
And when you can nail one down
They will say you are in luck
When each dawn pushes you to go somewhere
People think you have a basketful of savings
They think work has made you rich because you're not complaining
If work is that nice a man, why aren't we all rich?
Work is occupation, time-occupier
You may butter yourself up, but card balance can't ever pretend to be a liar
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