I took a seasonal job.
I was determined to
Dig my heels in for
Three months so I could
Go on a holiday.
But one person had
Me ear marked from
The get go and when
I found that one line
Was fast and furious,
She said : too much like
Hard work for you.
Implying I was snooty,
And too privileged
To get my hands dirty,
Not that I could
Not hack the pace.
I got one pay check,
Thinking only two more
And I'll keep my eyes
Peeled for something
More permanent as
They cooled down
After calling me the slur
That you cannot top.
And I knew it was
Her own insecurities.
She did not have
A boyfriend and the job
Was hardly desirable.
She came accross as
Territorial, like I was
On her turf. A boy
Who was cordial to
Me changed his tune
When he got closer
To this one insecure girl.
And I decided I was
Too long in the tooth
To put up with such pettiness.
As much as I could
Have used a holiday
I would not stay somewhere
I was unwanted and
I would have had to
Complete the three
Month trial before requesting
A transfer to one
Of the other areas.
My dear mum automatically
Assumed it was one of
Employees of Polish or Portuguese descent.
I had to correct dear ol' mum
And told her it was a local,
Indigenous girl - born and brought
Up in the area, this country.
I grew up hearing racist
And homophobic slurs
And I recieved a punishment
Exercise for saying indirectly
To someone: are you a poof?
But I was 13 years old not 23.
I am so glad I have
A growth mind set.
But there are some things
I will always stick to my guns with.