(20 minute poetry)

You know you don't count when you're not counted in.

Let me begin where it starts at the breaking
if hearts can be broken at all.

I give my all, but still fall before the finishing post and the most I can hope for
is a beer,
nothing too dear as the price index shows.

But I don't get a look in and those ******* are drinking the good gin, the one they keep under the counter.
I don't count for **** all.

I won't let them win because I have the will to survive, **** their eyes if I don't and whether I count or do not I have the hand that takes the ***,
so ******* lot.

I'm told I'm too old to complain, I should be thankful for what I have got,
**** the lot of them.

Gentleman scholar I may be, but ****** if I'd follow that crew.

You know it
I know it
this situation is fuelled by
*******.

I escape now and then from the pen' not much to keep me there anyway,
no share and share
no one to help
do I ****** care?
I don't count,
but
neither do they.