I’ve watched the
Yellow-vest men work for
Weeks now from
The window of
My office
They spread out like
Ants all over the
Skeleton of the
Only three-story
So far
Soon to be
Many more stories
Taller even
Than the top of
The twelve-story
From which
I look down
At these men working, I
Mean
Really working
Not just
Sending emails
From a laptop like
Me
Really
Pouring cement and
Spreading it
Out
Operating
Heavy machinery
They seem to fight and shout
And disagree sometimes
About how
The thing should be built
And then they
Play
Tossing tools
Back and forth
They take their lunch breaks
And eat sandwiches out of
Plastic bags packed
In paper bags
Slumped over
Showing signs of
Hard-earned exhaustion
Only men doing work our
Bodies were meant for
Get to enjoy