Honest Work

by Evan Carroll

Truth
honesty
honest work
where, what is the most righteous?
what is it
that we can derive all meaning from?
all sense of purpose

That feeling of knowing
I am of value to others
They need my time
My work
My existence

honest work
performing the direct task
making of what wasn’t
art uniquely human
joining minds in an effort
service to a person
the power of satisfaction

always the same
the angry take action
the thoughtful think and write
politicians argue
scholars espouse
and honest work continues

We're all so specialized
all the stress
from trying to get to someone else to do
what we don't know how
more satisfying to know how
to do it myself
to have the time

the great equalizer, money
the great conversion
has failed us
Pitting time against possessions
Ecology against warmth
Bodies against industry

I reject the power of money
or cringe in its presence
the deal with the devil

facing another and connecting
doing honest work next to another
these bonds
are they the only true social contract?
the only place where society is real?

religion offers that sense
of affirmation next to another
singing
praying the same prayer
I love singing with others
unison of emotion
just theatrics?

So much work erodes
collaboration but separate
deprived of the
comradery, the challenge
of real people
and honest work

Cars isolate
trapped inside
personified emotionless heads
judging without knowing
the person inside
without knowing
the bond from walking next to them
in the same direction

when does the leader
soothe us into feeling a fake comradery?
when do they truly create it?
Do they ever?

Honest work continues
No matter what swirls arounds us
Sanity comes from the work
honestly