gray iron gears streaked by tedium vapor
muscles labor aged in low wage zone
solid state controls the ache
and broken cycle spine, ennui dripped
forehead, underarm, ripen smell

empty eye works from task to chore, work glove
hand on task again, seven times a minute
heard pneumatic whooshes
clang of steel, vacant thoughts
squirm from every mortal zerk like dog shit swirls

concrete pit, machine beside the console
one man eaten screamed his life away
iron tears, flesh of torn remorse
unpunched timecard, mourn the empty slot
a last rung bell, stiffened blood

years ago but fresh as pain
rhythmic gear clunk
once frantic shouts now echo dust
anecdote of the rarely spoken
death, mangled silence

old cogs make the product
whistle still, shake
a dollar head and scowl
rites of boredom
seven times a minute

09/07/2005

Author's Note: published in Unlikely Stories

Posted on 09/07/2005
Copyright © 2026 Jim Benz