Freezes

I am starting
Work at the Texas
Highway Department
Doing administrative stuff
Questioned by a coolly efficient
Woman who is all business and no
Time for pleasantries as was often
The way of things back in the 70s
When the pace of life was slower
So when she later had a baby
It was speculated the infant
Might freeze in mother’s
Arms but things did go
Toward more women
In the Department
And more in high
Positions as the
Perspective of
Males began
To change
To a more
Balanced
View of
How to
Run a
Highway
Department.
Management by
Males was tell the
Boss if you see a flaw
But do what the boss says
Whereas the female system
Was gain consensus then any
Constructive criticism was viewed
As antagonistic and would result
In being treated like any appeal
For a set amount pay raise to
Benefit the poorest paid
Employees rather than
A percentage raise
Which gave more
To those making
The most, like
The infant,
Freezes
In arms
Of Mom
Same as
The old boss.
I was foolish enough
To urge higher-ups to give
All employees a $100 monthly
Raise but they looked at me
As if I were guilty of some
Apostasy and I was
Told it was above
My pay grade
And best to
Keep quiet
Or else to
See my
Career
Ladder
Freeze.