Artful Avoidance – Working Hard To Avoid Actual Working
Frustrated clock-watchers
With one eye on their work and the other eye
On the timeclock in the corner of their screen
Each minute ticking by
A slow and soundless digital timer
Climbing upward at the speed of stop
Eternities have shorter lifespans
Than the machinations of someone present
Who’s only filling a chair or cube
Their desk transitionary
Some might compare it to a rental property
Where short-term is the only term
Unnecessary trips
The path to the lounge taken so often
That the carpeting is showing wear marks
Minimal performance
Just enough to meet their annual review
A passing grade for near-failure
Heavy handed supervisors
Shouting behind closed doors, uttering choice words
Something about productivity
Blah, blah, blah
The droning speech again about digging deeper
Only this job isn’t excavation or moving soils
Motivation comes next
The carrot dangling on a mooring rope
Nothing more than a box-trap without an exit
If it wasn’t for the noise
Most of the workday would slip by unnoticed
Interruptions and angry confusion
That ringing phone
Driving sales or driving by, the conundrum continues
The waiting finally pays off
Someone else can manage that
Call, or e-mail, or request for blah, blah, blah
The situation different but outcome the same
Headphones, earphones, microphones
One-sided armored plating when used incorrectly
Dead space on the line
Watching work, or so it seems
Pretending to handle something important, like working
But only when someone’s watching
At least the internet is available
Surfing with a back against the wall, avoiding calls
One eye on work and the other eye on the fly
Paydays come and go
Almost an endowment for the arts, the performance kind
While pretending to add value
Not an easy game to play
Active disengagement, silence, siphoning
Obfuscation over clarity
The politics of performance on display
When looking busy means so much more
Than actually performing
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I sure remember those work days when the day seemed to last forever. Now that I am retired, I kind of miss it. I love your excellent phrasing, Ralph, it really brings out vivid images and memories. Great work.
Nicely emoted, the trap of a working life without motivation, so maligned and the boredom ,merciless. Ironically, in an era of such complex technology, boredom is the new disease. A great expression that we can all relate. Ralph. well done.
You brought forth “working for the man” – that everyone can relate to…. much enjoyed