Bread Winner Poem by Joseph D E Phillips

I spent twelve hours in the factory
to put heat in the house
and pay for the house
and put food on my family's table

but now I am 'free'
and everyone is asleep.
Now I am taking the children to school.
Now my wife is at work

When they are 'free'
I will be back at the factory
to put heat in the house
and pay for the house
and put food on my family's table

and if my wife does not work
we will not be able to save for retirement
Tell me
if I work to live
but am not living is it worth it?
Tell me as I lie in this lonely house
and stare at the ceiling above my bed;

Why am I doing this again
and again
and again
and again?

By the time the children grow
and wrinkles cross my face
and we finally get to rest
will there be anything left of us?

Will we really be alive then?