on young workers

Predatory employers suck the life out of the young and vulnerable, secure in the supreme right of their greed and avarice.
Say it’s for the good of society. That it represents progress and the might of the free world.
Democracy in action!
But really they love the feeling of power and all that that means.
Betray the trust of the innocent; exploit and manipulate vulnerable employees.

Desperate for work, children will take anything,
even washing bloated hearts in a pool, wearing ill fitting uniforms and inadequate wings.
Fixed smiles belie inner sadness.

They unwittingly support
the rampant commercialism
of
love.

*


This Drabble first appeared in The Burrow Valentine's feature 17 Feb 2011. Have a look at the feature for a Drabble a day throughout February! Thanks to Burrower's, Books & Balderdash for hosting.

A Drabble is a story told in 100 words. No more, no less.

Picture from Wikimedia commons.
.

Poinsettias

The drought has broken

Plague locusts massing

An army waiting. Biding their time

Farmers nervously watching, crops decimated if all goes as feared

Summer skies, usually blue and high, will blacken with the onslaught of flying
ravenous insects. Devouring every green thing in their path

A politician (chasing city votes) flippantly states: "They'll stop when they get to Melbourne"
as of thats ok

Glossing over the farmers' anguished loss

The scientists disagree - the suburbs will mirror the farmland, bereft of green
All will be eaten in the path of this horde

Happily the silk poinsettias in the window box survive.



More information about the Australian Plague Locust including a link to a swarm map, can be found here, and images here.

This Drabble is number 7 of 31 at the Annual Advent Calendar at The Burrow.


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