I hear him humming 
A song of increase in pay 
The same tune he keeps on drumming 
Day after day after day 
 
'Increase in pay, ’ he says 
'Increase in play, ' he says 
 
Today his hair is whiter than grey 
Thirteen increments of pay 
But he still keeps on humming 
The same tune he keeps on drumming 
 
'Increase in pay, ’ he says 
'Fewer hours, more power, ' he says 
 
No more do they listen 
Once they did when he glistened 
Now they wait gently endlessly 
Now they debate quietly mercilessly 
 
'Delay the pay, ' they say 
'Decrease the play, ' they say 
Can't you see his hair has turned all grey?  
Soon! Soon he shall only wither away!  
 
Copyright 2006 - Sylvia Chidi
Sylvia Chidi
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/increase-in-pay/