The Theft of Labor

the millionaire pizza
king is on tv, grinning
ear-to-ear with his super-
star quarterback pal

next to him. they joke
and gurgle on about
the great new deals on
large, double extra-cheese

pies: only $7.99!! but
they don’t mention
the slave wages, they
don’t speak of the robbery

of not paid pay that lines
the king’s pockets, that
build his mansion, buying
him fame and famous

friends, they don’t show
the rage and struggle in
the workers’ eyes, hustling
in the heat of those ten

hour shifts. why should
they? the king’s neck deep
in the good life all crooks
who get away with it live.

Paul Lojeski's poetry has appeared in journals and online. He’s also the author of the satiric novel, The Reverend Jimmy Pup. He lives with his wife and daughter in Port Jefferson, NY. Read other articles by Paul.