Developed or Eroded All these laughter and worry lines are facial crazy paving. Should’ve kept my face straight, been complexion saving. I’ve realised nervousness makes me compulsively yawn. I am sure that was not the case on the day I was born. I guard against being stabbed in the back as I get older. My neck aches continually from looking over my shoulder. I wear my hacking smokers cough, like a badge of honour. I remember deep breath mornings, before I was a goner. I used to intently listen to plans and management thesis. Now I would rather bury my head in a large pile of faeces. I laughed at childish humour, now I think you’re goading. I used think “I am developing” now I know “I am eroding”. (written by Loot and read by Lorraine Ansell) Work dominates our lives. WorkInWords.net offers you a place to read and listen to what people think and feel about the work they do. Please send us yours with this link or email: editor@workinwords.net.

Values We have a values statement It makes us who we are It talks of trust, empowerment, Integrity, bla bla It took six months of talking – Consulting with the ‘troops’ – To come up with the wording We put ourselves through hoops! We stand for fairness, dignity, Autonomy, no blame, Creative ways of working, Risk, honesty, to name A few of them – the statement Is on the intranet I’ll have to have another look It’s easy to forget The list – it’s long – but very good! Inspirational I’d even go as far as saying Quite sensational The trouble is that nothing’s changed There’s still a funny smell Along the corridors of power It’s hard for me to tell Who I can trust around this place – Where I can find the good I thought the values made things right I have misunderstood. What you do is who you are It isn’t what you say You stand for, or believe in, it is What you do, today. We judge your action, not just words Behaviours, not intent The things we see give us the clues About what’s really meant. Wake up tomorrow, come to work And do things differently Don’t tell me what you stand for Show me – let me see. (Written and read by Jenny Knight 2006) To hear and read more poems about life at work visit http://organisationalpoetry.com

Malnourished Thought Holistic disapproval in this effigy of courage. Mysterious panacea disguised in your haulage. Malnourished thesis averts its eyes. From the million corpses that fell like flies. (written by Seryianis and read by Andy Denham) https://organisationalpoetry.com/2016/06/27/malnourished-thought/