No More Cause To Worry...

Well, Railroad Bob’s done lost his job, he’s got no place for working,
his wife, she cries with desperate eyes, their baby’s head’s a’ jerking.
The union man don’t give a damn, Big Brother lies a’ lurking,
and boss’ in cabs are picking scabs, they count their money, smirking.

Bob walks the streets and begs for eats or little jobs for trying
“the answer’s no, you ought to know, no use for you applying,
and don’t be sad, it aint that bad, it’s soon your time for dying.”
The air is thick, his baby’s sick, the cries are multiplying.

Bob’s wife’s in town, she’s broken down, she’s ranting with a fury,
their baby coughs, the doctor scoffs, the snow flies all a’ flurry.
Hard work’s the sin that’s done them in, they skirmish, scrimp and scurry,
and midnight dreams are filled with screams; Bob knows he needs to hurry.

It’s getting late, Bob’s tempting fate, his choices cruel and blurry,
He chooses gas, they breathe their last, there’s no more cause to worry.

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

Terry,
This was such a fine, monumentally-writ piece, that its moment, poetic-voice, tragically poignant ambience, amazing cadence and flow, creative theme, and your obvious poetic skills stole me deeply away into it from first to final word and ellispsis … luring the senses to dwell on its heartrending finalé … and, who with an ounce of warm blood could not.
Somehow, I was brought to mind of the famous novel by Richard Llwwellyn, "How Green Was My Valley" of my homeland, Wales, in the times of coal mining and poverty, and of many other times of life's almost unendurable abysses of dark trials and tribulations foist upon tragic families and individuals.
I became so involved I, actually, felt my heart turn and my olde eyes well; yet, is this not what excellent poetry does when penned by a skilled artist … involves ones deepest emotions?

As a teacher of poetic forms, I could not help noting the 4/4/7-count lines and ending mono-rhymes composing each Quatrain. I have not (until now) seen a poetic composition in this exactformat, and I very much enjoyed reading it.

Terry, in 1987, I originated a form quite similar to this one in count, tempo, and rhyme scheme, and although the structure is different, you might enjoy and find it interesting. There is an example (with the Rules) posted onsite at: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1654053/

I cannot thank you enough for sharing this amazingly epic work of poetic brilliance, but I do thank you, nonetheless … blessings, Terry! ⁓ Richard

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you, Richard...
I'm overwhelmed!!!
I don't really know the various forms/rules of poetry... I try to write something 'melodic' for my 'internal ear'...
but I'll check out the link you've given...
If I've stumbled on a new 'format'... well that's super...
Now I'm rambling... I'll just repeat "I', overwhelmed"...
Terry

[Terry O'Leary]

Richard, the link:
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1654053/
doesn't seem to work for me...

[Richard🖌]

Terry,
You'll need to copy/paste the URL into your browser search bar, as this site does not allow for posting live links.

[Jimmy Yetts]

A tragic poetic account skillfully conveyed.
Let us pray the Bobs of this world are provided with much-needed help long before they conclude that the only way out is all the way out.
Troubling read!

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you, Jimmy... it's a troubling world for some...

[Philip Muls]

Very tragic tale and you tell it well. Fine flow of words leading to the inevitable ending. He knows he needs to hurry...but as a reader you can feel it is already too late.

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you, Philip...

[Bear]

Tis sad your tale and you told it well, with great wit and wile your words did beguile. A true word master you must be for it is plain for all to see, damn and forsooth to rhyme you are addicted and see how now I to am afflicted. That speaks well of an author who is able to reach from the page and make such a strong connection with their readers (thank heaven rhyme is a short term addiction) Bravo! Clap! Clap! Clap!

[Terry O'Leary]

A comment in rhyme... Super!!
Thanks!!!

[Yours Truly]

What a great write! I love how you told a story with rhythm! A job well done! :)
-Yours Truly

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you, Yours...
You are very kind!!

[Beccy]

Welfare. 'Help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it, especially….'

A shame that so often the system never kicks in when it's really needed, especially...

Beccy.

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you Beccy... you are right... unfortunately¨¨

[kyam]

If you read some of my earlier stuff you will see that I was in the same predicament. My was as real as sunshine. I do empathise. Very strong and well written! I can say "Bravo" to this Piece!!!....Kyam

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you, Kyam... you are very kind!

[Valentine]

This is chilling. Well expressed but to take ones life..not a good answer to any problem. Valentine

[Terry O'Leary]

You're right Valentine... thans for the comment!

[kyam]

So true can be the plights in life so sadly. Well written with a lot of depth and nice choice of words. Rhyming is excellent. Bravo!!....Kyam

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you Kyam for the kind words!
Terry

[Gee]

Like this,details the quick demise unemployment can cause.Rolls off the tongue beautifully Terry

[Terry O'Leary]

Thank you, Gee!!