Building Site

Building Site

A Poem by markcviet
"

This poem was inspired by observing building workers living on site in very rough, improvised shelters near my home in Saigon.

"
Happy family on the billboard:
mother, father, darling child;
this prime apartment their reward
in modern geometric style.


Two bedrooms, one on mezzanine
with en-suite bathroom, air con cooled;
green river bank a space to dream,
for exercise a chlorine pool.


From high above the building site,
conductor of the symphony,
the guiding crane, positions right
each block, each beam in harmony.


Minions moving much like robots
lift and carry, lay brick on brick
in heat or rain that never stops.
End of shift they shower in public,


a ready smile though life seems tough;
steamed white rice all eat together,
in shelters made from scrap sleep rough.
Might they never dream of better?

© 2015 markcviet


Author's Note

markcviet
Is the meaning clear? Does the rhetorical question in the last line work well?

My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

114 Views
Added on May 11, 2015
Last Updated on May 11, 2015
Tags: society, inequality, life

Author

markcviet
markcviet

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam



About
I am fortunate to live in the vibrant tropical of environment of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where I teach at an international school. more..

Writing
Byron Byron

A Poem by markcviet