When fair and strict as time could be

You bite your lip so strenuously.

Shove and pull, lurch and drop

Your arms thrash like a juggernaut

'Til the whistle blows.

Your existence is naught

When you release your pain

For a short while - off the train

Of line and ship, void of purpose.

Rise, you dawdling beached porpoise!

Build yourself anew, harden and bleed

When the whistle sounds 'gain, motor forth at full speed.