Efforts and outcomes.
A poem by Martyn Foster.
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Is hard work worth the reward?
A general, pervasive sentiment
That we once looked toward
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Work smart, not hard, they say
As if mutually exclusive
Why not both? I say…
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Efforts and outcomes a mismatch
Education led us astray
The world mixes a different batch
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Persevering through pain
Two steps forward, three steps back
What is it that you gain?
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Futility in chasing external validation
Leaving your happiness to chance
People pleasing isn’t a justification
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
A lotta something for nothing
Does it benefit you or others?
Your worth could cop a drubbing
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
From thriving to barely surviving
Like a bucket to an empty well
Just give us a drop, we’re suffering!
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Endless side hustling, flavour of the day
Maybe we are idiots
We buy it anyway
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Wringing its neck
Trying too hard – exhausted!
Killing ourselves, to cash a cheque
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
A needle in a haystack, you might find
Starting to go stir crazy
The ever-spinning windmills of your mind
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Is there a meaning to our vocation?
More than a cog in the machine
Many live quiet lives of desperation
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Lemonade from lemons, to safeguard
Nah-ah, eat that motherfucking lemon
Stay hard!
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