Arthritic Johnny

He's worked for bosses all of his working life poor Johnny And now he walks with the aid of walking cane His fingers bent and knobby from arthritis And he feels stiff all over from work strain. From his drainer job he took early retirement Four years ago when he was sixty one He could not carry on due to arthritis Magnified by the hard labouring he had done. Those who grew wealthy out of his exertions Ignore him now when they meet on the street He's made life better for their sons and daughters Yet he's a stranger to them when they meet. Perhaps they feel that they don't owe him any That's for services rendered to them he's been paid But of course they won't admit to the vast fortunes Out of him and others like him they have made. To afford him any sort of recognition Would be admitting to him that they owe So every time they see arthritic Johnny He's one of those that they don't pretend to know. All his working years he's laboured for his bosses And he has work stiffnes to show for his gain And his hands and legs are paining from arthritis And he walks around with the aid of walking cane