As a worker compelled to do a job for pay
Putting aside what else I might like to do
Closing off what else I might like to think about
That is the essence of alienation from oneself.
Living that way for most of my adult life
Being a commodity sold to perform a task
Serving the needs of whatever business to make money
For the purpose of enriching the owners.
Working for a nonprofit not altogether different
With job descriptions and structures similarly organized
Though the enterprise mission may be to help people
Supervisors push for efficiency and productivity.
Having partners as a founder of an idealist company
Hiring staff with the best intentions to do right by them
Selling software to help social service providers doing good
Yet still we separated off into our own private office class.
The divisions so intrinsic to our society inform everything
Creating a mindset that has us competing individually to survive
Learning to distrust what we are told by self-serving people
Watching out that what little we have isn't taken away.
No longer having to worry about any of that personally
Being old enough to be finished with working for wages
Being fortunate to have ample finances to support me
Allows me the leisure to fully experience my humanity.
Paying attention to whatever interests me each day
Creating images and words making meaning as I see fit
Sharing my thoughts with the people who know me
Enjoying the time I have being with loved ones near me.
