Waste by Wendy Delphine (2 March 1990)

A waste of time

The plant is offline

For me and the lab

We’re not really sad

About this whole mess

I couldn’t want it less

But what is the fuss about

I can’t scream nor can I shout –

I don’t want to let my brain

Bake

As it listens to the strain

Of this machine outside the window

That is making me a shadow

Of the rest of the equipment

In the lab: I need some re-fitment

Of my mind and of my brain

That is baking

And release from the pain

That is causing me to write

This: such crap in black and white

I should stop, but don’t ask me, please,

I don’t want you begging on your knees

Because I am bored so stiff

Of doing nothing much

With all this time that’s gone to waste.

Please come, home time, make haste.