(11)
POETRY WITH A DIFFERENCE
Ode
to a Poor Radio Taxi Driver
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1.
It was revealed today, though it’s very hard to
say for only you and me know of this secrecy. |
2. A
fellow driver (nameless), whose white-sheeted
life is blameless, has a most unusual meter -
the like of which defeats ya! |
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3. For in
less than it takes to write this line, his clock
it ticks at double time, though he will not
admit it, it has no legal limit. |
4. But
wait I divert, what I relate to you won’t hurt,
please don’t tell the Revenue man or he may
schlapp him in the can. |
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5. With
80p run-ins, it doesn’t tick - it spins! And all
day long it glows red hot, from dawn to dust it
never stops. |
6. It
whirls and bounces whilst he eats a robot in the
drivers seat, claw at the button ready: second
call: City goes on credit. |
|
7. Wait
till despatcher starts to plead, now it’s time
to slowly bleed, customer waiting for his taxi.
Stretch it out on a rack…see? |
8. I will
run with 80p on, despatcher pleased job has
gone, glance at meter quickly moving, traffic
easing times improving. |
|
9. Arrives
at pick up 50p showing, job jumps in never
knowing, sets down quickly no delay, there’s 30p
owed him today. |
10. And
before the door is shut the meters cleared and
reset, waiting for next credit, please with
money on, but that’s not greed. |
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11. And so
our friend with majic clock, is really pleased
with his lot, for he earns more than you and me
- £480 per day give or take 80p. |
PS. The
£480 is arrived at a 60-hour week, with a
non-stop majic meter and no time for meal breaks
just a sandwich, made with stale bread from
Tesco’s. |
And One From Dennis Samuels (F25)
I read a letter in our last News & Views, I’ll answer with a
poem for you to peruse.
Some drivers amongst us have many mouths to feed; we all go
to work to satisfy a need.
There are good jobs and bad jobs we get every day, add them
together it gets us our pay.
I’ve been driving a cab getting on thirty years; the stories
I’ve heard have brought me to tears.
Finesse and feeling many drivers seem to lack, so speak to
the man with the gun in your back. I’ve seen some strokes
pulled and I’ve done some myself, but at the end of the day
no difference in wealth.
I’ve worked at the stations, the docks and the fliers and
always felt sickened by perpetual criers.
What is achieved by crying and screaming, just go to work,
don’t always be scheming.
To work on the box is at times a bit seedy, made more
pronounced when drivers are greedy.
I feel sorry for those who are short sighted and thick, the
proposals they make just make you feel sick.
Our board in their wisdom do what they think best, the next
AGM will be their toughest test.
With one thousand members to protect, please and lead, they
must not give way to satisfy greed.
One only respects people who have done things to earn it,
and I think nothing of others who don’t bother to learn it.
The truth always hurts and knocks people for six, and more
so when tumbled performing their tricks.
When the time comes to vote, think of men not dummies, then
send the kids home to have talks with their mummies.
This is my opinion and I know many share it, to others I’ll
say ‘ if the cap fits please wear it’.
United we stand without threat or menace, no more to say
but…
Your loving Dennis.
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