those days
spelled routine

deeply
into my early
adult life

clock on
clock off

start hooter
finish hooter

begin our lunch
end our lunch

tea break
an hour and a half in

working;
our lives dependent on it.

in between my facial lines
the factory remains

First published at Underbelly Press July 2025
edited by Lucy Huddleston
‘pay packets’ page 82  Issue Four | Underbelly Press