TRAFFIC JAM
At the beginning of the twentieth century people
still went to work,
Of earning money like us, they did not appear
at all to shirk,
Yet there was no great rush then like we
have here today,
So how did they all get to work? It’s
confusing I must say.
I know there were not as many people
to get around,
And many a horse and buggy in cities
could be found,
Trains for long distances were running with
full force,
And like us those folks had two legs and feet
to walk on of course.
But workers could not have jobs on the other
side of town,
In offices and factories, all worked long hours
wearing a frown.
So their home must have been very close by,
a street or two away,
Most worked six days a week with no odd
days holiday.
So I’ll put up with the traffic jams and working
a forty hour week,
Willing to pay for gas and insurance and on
Saturday’s sometimes seek
A beauty spot to find, not mind I have to travel
far to my work,
It’s better than years ago when it was impossible
for a day to shirk.

(Millicent) Ann Margetson 8 April 2004