Poem: Chain Gang

Poem: Chain Gang

Chain Gang

Work for the dole
well "Bless my sole"
what an interesting idea.
You would have thought
that someone ought
to have thought
of that
before this year.

Didn't they try to do it in 1929?
Wasn't it then the susso scheme?
When men had to leave their families
to go the great out back?

It was the stamp of feet
on the dusty street,
which ensured that they would eat.
The susso was what it was called
and civilised folks were quite appalled
that men were forced from town to town,
with a swag upon their back

and an old corn sack,
as they headed for the great out back.

They have a scheme just like it
for those who are born black;
they work from home,
aren't forced to roam,
'cause they live in the great out back.
Of cause we only pay a pittance,
a charitable remittance,
but what do you expect in the country
when you live so far from town.

The one good thing I have to say
is government has promised it will pay
three dollars an hour for a twenty hour week.
Now that is the going rate.
Dole bludgers don't be late!!!
It will only apply only to the young,
and of course the rural poor,
and run down areas of cities
where unemployment is a running sore.

John Tomlinson

From GLW issue 280