Forty Plus Years
forty plus years
of working day
and night...
and all i have
to show for it is...
the dust in my pockets,
holes in my jeans,
and a stack of bills
i cant pay...
no insurance,
no retirement,
no house on the hill....
just another victim
of the American Dream!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Kiwi Dave
For forty five years I've been working and I'm just an unfettered slave
And I have gray hairs to show for it I am quoting Kiwi Dave
Five years to go to retirement I was sixty last birthday
And ever since I've started working it's been uphill all the way.
My ex wife said that I was a drinker that I was too fond of the booze
That was her excuse for leaving she said I was born to lose
But I take it in moderation after work three or four beers
And I've been a slave for her and for my children for close to if not twenty years.
Fifteen years ago she left me and she went to live with younger bloke
She got more than half my assets for years to her haven't spoke
She turned my son and daughter against me and my six grandchildren I don't see
And I will spend my usual Christmas on my own watching T.V.
Kiwi Dave is a good person though just a little soured by life
And things for him would have been better had he had a faithful wife
'A woman she can make or break you' with that who could disagree
Dave could see the truth in those words for who would know better than he? .
For forty five years he's been working the hard worker Kiwi
Dave
And for his ex wife and his children for years he has been a slave
He looks older far than sixty the hard life has made him gray
Five more years left till retirement it's been uphill all the way.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My Retirement Years' (For everyone over 62!)
Has anyone else noticed
the new working standards and means?
for those of retirement years, is this what it seems?
That if your able bodied to still work
your employer makes your job harder and act like jerks?
They take you aside and tell you your doing bad
this makes for your day, to be unproductive, quite empty and sad!
You've given them, some of the best years of your life!
So you could have two and a half children, a home and a wife.
But now the environment, your working in cause
walking through your humble abode
with your hands, in outstretching of claws!
I'm over the hill they say, not wanted anymore!
they'd like to have me get so upset
That I would walk out their door!
I thought at the end, retierment, would be my choice to make?
and not that done by some hired henchman
doing companies, pain in the butt heart breaks!
I didn't give all my best years
so I would be treated like crap!
I'll stand my ground, if I have to take it to the TOP!
And then they'll all see, just where
this so called old bucks going to stop!
No company is so big, that they can treat me like this!
I am an American who fought, so this company could even exist!
If they have a profit to make, don't take it out of me!
I fought for this country, so all people could have choices and be FREE!
Don't mess with me, I'm an American retirement age man!
And when I'm darn good and ready!
I'LL CHOSE, when I blow this pop stand!
poem by Linda Winchell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Well, I'm telling them two things. One is that, look, this is going to be something when the American people realize - once it's passed - that, A, it does take care of preexisting conditions; B, you're insurance rates aren't going to skyrocket; C, the insurance companies aren't going to be running the show like they were before; D, you're going to be in a position where you can keep your insurance that you have. That once the American public realizes that, you're going to get a reward for this. They're going to be rewarded.
Is That Asking Too Much
(donny lowery/craig wiseman)
Some people say theres no american dream
I hear them talking but they dont say a thing
I still believe youve got to give it to get
Baptize your every aspiration in sweat
I vow my head each night and roll up my sleeves
cause buddy its a long hard road to easy street
Where all the cars go
Fast, fast, fast
When you step on the gas, gas, gas
Nobody else is gonna pass me up going down the road
I want a great big house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
Is that asking too much
Am I over the line
Am I way out of touch
Tell me am I losing my mind
I know I wont never get enough
Is that asking too much
Ive never been accused of dreaming too small
I never saw no shame in wanting it all
I guess thats just the curse of being born poor
No matter what you got you always want more
Everybody wants a lot, a little inside
Im not the only one with hungry eyes
That wants a car that goes
Fast, fast, fast
When you step on the gas, gas, gas
Nobody else is gonna pass me up going down the road
I want a great bid house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Man, givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
Is that asking too much
Am I over the line
Am I way out of touch
Tell me am I losing my mind
I know I wont never get enough
Is that asking too much
I just wanna go fast, fast, fast
When I step on the gas, gas, gas
Nobody else is gonna pass me up going down the road
I want a great big house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Man givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
When I step on the gas, gas, gas
You know I wanna go fast, fast, fast
Nobody better ever pass me up going down the road
I gotta build me a house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Man, givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
Now is that asking too much
song performed by by Diamond Rio
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Is That Askin' Too Much
(Donny Lowery/Craig Wiseman)
Some people say theres no American dream
I hear them talkin' but they dont say a thing
I still believe youve got to give it to get
Baptize your every aspiration in sweat
I vow my head each night and roll up my sleeves
Cause buddy its a long hard road to Easy Street
Where all the cars go
Fast, fast, fast
When you step on the gas, gas, gas
Nobody else is gonna pass me up going down the road
I want a great big house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
Is that asking too much
Am I over the line
Am I way out of touch
Tell me am I losing my mind
I know I wont never get enough
Is that asking too much
Ive never been accused of dreaming too small
I never saw no shame in wanting it all
I guess thats just the curse of being born poor
No matter what you got you always want more
Everybody wants a lot, a little inside
Im not the only one with hungry eyes
That wants a car that goes
Fast, fast, fast
When you step on the gas, gas, gas
Nobody else is gonna pass me up going down the road
I want a great bid house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Man, givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
Is that asking too much
Am I over the line
Am I way out of touch
Tell me am I losing my mind
I know I wont never get enough
Is that asking too much
I just wanna go fast, fast, fast
When I step on the gas, gas, gas
Nobody else is gonna pass me up going down the road
I want a great big house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Man givin me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
When I step on the gas, gas, gas
You know I wanna go fast, fast, fast
Nobody better ever pass me up going down the road
I gotta build me a house on the hill
Every pocket full of hundred dollar bills
Man, givin' me a thrill, thrill, thrill I aint never known
Now is that asking too much...
song performed by by Diamond Rio
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Were An American Band
On the road for forty days,
Last night in little rock put me in a haze.
Sweet, sweet connie -- doin her act,
She had the whole show and thats a natural fact.
Up all night with freddy king,
I got to tell you pokers his thing.
A-booze n ladies keep me right,
As long as we can make it to the show tonight.
Chorus
Were an american band.
Were an american band.
Were coming to your town, well help you party it down.
Were an american band.
Four young chaquitas in omaha,
Was waitin for the band to return from the show.
Feelin good, feelin right, its saturday night,
The hotel detective -- he was out-a-sight.
Now, these fine ladies, they had a plan,
They was out to meet the boys in the band.
They said, come on, dudes, lets get it on,
And we proceeded to tear that hotel down.
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
Were an american band, ooo-ooo.
Were an american band, ooo-ooo.
Were an american band, ooo-ooo.
song performed by by Grand Funk Railroad
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Working Class Man
The‘working class'man comes home after a hard working day,
Another shift over, a step closer to a much needed wage or pittance of pay.
Trying his best to maintain his and family's basic needs,
Working through his life's prime.
Also trying to plan future seeds,
Until'his retirement time.
Forty years or more of graft and sweat,
At the end of it, What does he get?
Pat's on the back, handshake or maybe a golden watch that is already set!
To remind himself of the good and bad times he may have had,
A reminder if they were funny or sad.
A ticking memory of friends he made or met,
A‘time watch'to watch the pass of time that he's got left.
poem by Guy Lipmore
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I have jeans with holes in them and I have nice jeans. I have casual and I have dressy jeans. I've got all kinds.
quote by Amanda Seyfried
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Melancholic....
I have my own dreams
i keep them in my house
and no one sees them
every night i look at all
these dreams of mine
my treasure, my gold
they do not glitter anymore
i have my own rusty dreams
and i keep them inside my house
there they all turn to powder
to dust, to nothing
one night i am tired of all these dreams
put them all inside a box
and throw them all to the sea
and then the sea has all my dreams
now i have my house without dreams
it is an empty house
proud with nothing but myself alone
i am the dream of this house
it's only dream
soon the house shall be gone
soon i shall be too gone
someone shall build another house
another dream......
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Our government makes the simple promise of a secure retirement to every American who works for many years and contributes to our retirement benefit system.
The Workaholic
He retired from his job on his sixty fifth birthday
But he did not enjoy the work free life
And he died just nine months into his retirement
To be mourned by his family and his wife.
It has been said he was a workaholic
And that he was one who worked as hard as two
And he felt bored without a job to go to
And he pined away as many like him do.
His problem was he did not have a hobby
And a working life the life he loved and knew
A good man for his wife and family and his Country
But good men just like bad men must die too.
For forty seven years he worked for the same employers
And to the end to his bosses was true
His parting gift from them a wrist watch and box of chocolates
And a well done and a shake hands and thank you.
He must have been one who truly liked his bosses
To have worked for them for forty seven years
His last day on the job it was his saddest
And as he left he fought to choke the tears.
His problem was that he did not have a hobby
And he only lived for each working day
And when he left the workforce in his sixties
He fell into ill health and pined away.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Pre-Retired
Well I'm almost there ya know
that full retirement kinda place.
I'm not old enough to collect any money
can't find a job, with age lines upon my face!
So I guess I'm pre-retired?
I don't have another name, yet for it!
But if this is what retirement is like
where all you do is, just write poems and sit!
Then I'd rather be ten feet under
or something sorta like that!
I use to have a great figure
now all I am is a ball of, pre-retired FAT!
Wife still is working full time
and she looks a lot better than me!
She stays out all night after working
with her girlfriends, not me!
I'm boring I guess, and feel out of place
no real purpose felt anymore.
I use to be a manager of twelve employees
in a large, retail discount store!
So don't tell me about retirement!
and how great it is for you!
It stinks to be pre-retired
and think when my full retirement comes
It won't feel anything like you!
poem by Linda Winchell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Why Work
After months of tedious
Boring, heavy, tiresome
Atrocious, appalling, nude
Light, offensive and etc. work
The next best thing to happen
Is receiving the pay
It's good and who will argue
But before the pay
Landed into our sad and starving wallets
It undergoes a myriad of colorful
Miserable and inevitable circumstance
These sad things man himself invented
The deductions unlimited…
Deduct Deduct Deduct Deduct
Personal Income Tax, Medical Dental
Retirement Tax, Property Tax
Professional Tax, Business Tax
Thumb Tucks, Online Tax…..whewww! ! !
And after the first screening
The second follows…
The Loans, Salary Loan
Policy Loan, Emergency Loan
Calamity Loan, Insurance.
At last, the grain Is so fine
Here comes the hard earned money
The Take Home Pay
And whose waiting..
Electric Bills, Water Bills, Cable Bills, Telephone Bills
So…..I drink cheap wine too…and ignore the erotic pie
poem by Ayi Escalona
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The Sting of Conscience
Others may look forward
to take their retirement, enjoy
their lives as they wish, but
I am looking forward
to another twenty years
for working and progress
No house to spend the summers
from april to november
where can I spent the winters?
More than twenty-five years gone by - friends
who joined government offices
started business or joined in politics
They've already made their fortunes:
good houses, cars, luxuries
bank balances - for me nothing yet.
Still working in a private company.
Like my late father the bureaucratic job
I left on the questions of morality
People keep telling me, it is time to retire
taking rest, travelling to europe for pleasure,
sight seeing - but my conscience
Reminds me to think twice
of my sober wife. Where can I find
a little roof over her head?
How can I think of my retirement
or peaceful departure from this
grim and selfish earth?
poem by Mahmoodul Haque Sayed
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
My Dream Lover
I saw you in m dream last night,
Bu i am three years older than you are;
I saw you in my dream last night,
But you were three years younger than i am;
My dream lover where are you?
You were so beautiful in my dream,
What is your name my dream lover?
I saw you in my dream last night,
Where do you come from my dream lover?
Beauty do bath you all over and,
I want to know your house number;
What is your telephone number my dream lover?
I saw you in my dream last night and,
I do hope to meet you soon.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I haven't seen a new football play since I was in high school. You have just so many holes in a line and you have eleven men playing, and there's only so many ways you can go through those holes, and those ways have been used for forty, fifty years.
quote by Red Grange
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Star-Gazer
Forty-two years ago (to me if to no one else
The number is of some interest) it was a brilliant starry night
And the westward train was empty and had no corridors
So darting from side to side I could catch the unwonted sight
Of those almost intolerably bright
Holes, punched in the sky, which excited me partly because
Of their Latin names and partly because I had read in the textbooks
How very far off they were, it seemed their light
Had left them (some at least) long years before I was.
And this remembering now I mark that what
Light was leaving some of them at least then,
Forty-two years ago, will never arrive
In time for me to catch it, which light when
It does get here may find that there is not
Anyone left alive
To run from side to side in a late night train
Admiring it and adding noughts in vain.
poem by Louis Macneice
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Stagefright
I said welcome to my show
Its just a-you and me baby
We got the whole damn night to go
Youre holding out on me, while Im on fire
If you cant stand the heat, then you should try
Victim of my vices, you know you are
You skate on ice to paradise, stairway to the stars
Stagefright all night, wont you let go
All night stagefright, on with the show
You come on like a lady dressed to kill
Never thought you could be caught, but you will
A little understanding, a little love
A headline act around the back, is what Im thinkin of
Stagefright all night, wont you let go
All night stagefright, on with the show
Stagefright all night, youre dream starts today
All night stagefright, is only a heartbeat away
Youre going for my head, youre going down
Gettin good at being bad, youre hangin round
A fun inspired asylum, toys for the boys
Love on the rocks, forget-me-nots, you got no change
Stagefright all night, oh wont you let go
All night stagefright, get on with the show
Stagefright all night, youre dream starts today
All night stagefright, is only a heartbeat away
Stagefright all night, oh wont you let go
All night stagefright, get on with the show
song performed by by Def Leppard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Young American
They pulled in just behind the fridge
He lays her down, he frowns
"Gee my life's a funny thing, am I still too young?"
He kissed her then and there
She took his ring, took his babies
It took him minutes, took her nowhere
Heaven knows, she'd have taken anything, but
All night
She wants the young American
Young American, young American, she wants the young American
All right
She wants the young American
Scanning life through the picture windows
She finds the slinky vagabond
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang, but
Heaven forbid, she'll take anything
But the freak, and his type, all for nothing
He misses a step and cuts his hand, but
Showing nothing, he swoops like a song
She cries "Where have all Papa's heroes gone?"
All night
She wants the young American
Young American, young American, she wants the young American
All right
She wants the young American
All the way from Washington
Her bread-winner begs off the bathroom floor
"We live for just these twenty years
Do we have to die for the fifty more?"
All night
He wants the young American
Young American, young American, he wants the young American
All right
He wants the young American
Do you remember, your President Nixon?
Do you remember, the bills you have to pay
Or even yesterday
Have you been an un-American?
Just you and your idol singing falsetto 'bout
Leather, leather everywhere, and
Not a myth left from the ghetto
Well, well, well, would you carry a razor
In case, just in case of depression
Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors
Blushing at all the afro-Sheilas
Ain't that close to love?
Well, ain't that poster love?
Well, it ain't that Barbie doll
Her heart's been broken just like you have
And
All night
You want the young American
Young American, young American, you want the young American
All right
You want the young American
You ain't a pimp and you ain't a hustler
A pimp's got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler
Black's got respect, and white's got his soul train
Mama's got cramps, and look at your hands ache
I heard the news today, oh boy
I got a suite and you got defeat
Ain't there a man you can say no more?
And, ain't there a woman I can sock on the jaw?
And, ain't there a child I can hold without judging?
Ain't there a pen that will write before they die?
Ain't you proud that you've still got faces?
Ain't there one damn song that can make me
break down and cry?
All night
I want the young American
Young American, young American, I want the young American
All right
I want the young American
Young American
Young American, young American, I want the young American
(I want with you, I want with you want)
All right
(You want it, I want you you, you want I, I want you want)
Young American, young American, I want the young American (I want to want, to want, to want , to want I, I want you)
All right
(Lord I wanted the young american)
(young american)
Young American, Young American
I want the young American
Mmmmmm mmm
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Everybody's A Victim
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
I demand recompense
For sitting on the fence
Throughout my adult life
You've got to put my parents in jail
For raising me in Fife
It doesn't matter what I do
You have to say it's alright
And I need you to send somebody around
To tuck me in at night
Because...
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
Well it's not my fault
That I'm positive
I just stuck a needle in my arm
And nobody told me
That sixty a day
Would do me any harm
My liver's shrivelling like a leaf
But it's not the whisky that doo's it
Call me irresponsible
And I'm really going to lose it
Because...
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
Wear a ribbon for this
Hug a stranger for that
Light a candle to the dead
And soon you'll forget
That you ever had
A brain inside our head
We value everythin the same
We turn it into farce
So we don't know a crisis
'Till it kicks us up the arse
Because...
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
Everybody's a victim
Seems we're going that way
Everybody's a victim
We're becoming like the USA
song performed by by Proclaimers
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!