“That the body plays a central role in work is perhaps an obvious statement, yet it is easy to lose sight of human labor in a capitalist system centered on service, global outsourcing, and automated assembly…laboring bodies experience ailments and annoyances that are often hidden because they are experienced in isolation” – Ed Slavishak
When the worker is asked
To complete the task,
The body slaves away
For a measly pay.
In the big blue store
With the bright blue vests,
17 year old
Ken Kaneki rests.
School then work,
Day and night,
Week after week,
He does everything “right”.
He’s the star employee,
The best on the team,
But what does that
Truly mean?
His feet are aching,
He can barely walk,
But yet to every customer
He must talk.
Work through the pain,
Keep up your pace,
And never ever
Let your smile leave your face.
7 miles a day,
He walks across the store.
Pulling carts, stocking cases,
And watching the door.
Up on the ladders,
With boxes half his size,
His balance unsteady,
And dust in his eyes.
Down on the floor scrubbing,
He’s on his knees.
His body is screaming
“Help me please!!”
Work through the pain,
Keep up your pace,
And never ever
Let your smile leave your face.
Now in the present,
His joints are weak.
And every now and then,
The future looks pretty bleak.
Countless hours spent
To prove your worth,
But where’s that “family” now,
When you are hurt?
You are replaceable
Like a cog in a machine,
And in the end,
Your efforts were unseen.
4 years in a place
That worked him to death
And now his sanity
Is all he has left.
With the job of 6
And the pay of 1,
After 4 years
He’s glad to be done.
But when he looks down
At his physical form,
He can plainly see
That it is worn.
His body shows signs
Of labor intensive times,
And he bears the scars of physical labor.
Now that he’s free,
He can clearly see
That the odds were never in his favor.
He must push on
In his tired state,
He must succeed
Before it’s “too late”.
Unruly Bodies 
Ken this poem is so moving and powerful. It really captures the exhaustion and struggles we often ignore in retail jobs, but it’s real for so many people. it’s a wake-up call for all of us to appreciate the hidden costs of such demanding work. We need to push for better conditions and value the hard work people do. Your writing is really impactful.
This really hits home for me as a college student trying to juggle classes, part-time jobs, and the pressure to prepare for my future. When I read about Ken’s exhaustion and the physical toll his job takes on him, I couldn’t help but think about my own life how often I push through fatigue to meet deadlines and fulfill commitments. The lines about working through pain and keeping up a smile resonate deeply because they capture the reality of our hustle culture. It often feels like we’re expected to put our well-being aside to get the job done, no matter what. Ken’s aching feet and weak joints remind me of the sacrifices we make in pursuit of success. The line about being “replaceable / like a cog in a machine” really struck me. It highlights how many workers, including myself at times, feel undervalued and unseen in our contributions.What really stands out in this poem is the lasting impact of hard labor. Ken’s scars symbolize more than just physical wear; they represent the emotional and mental burden that comes with endless work. As I navigate my own journey, this poem serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing our health and well-being. It also encourages me to think about advocating for better working conditions and recognizing the humanity behind every job. In the end, we need to remember that we are more than our labor; our health and happiness matter too.