Call to the Labored
I
O weary ones, I see you where you stand—
You work for bread, then stumble into sleep.
I know the gulf of sorrow, hand to hand,
The hours that drag, the wages thin and cheap.
Demand the promises oppressors keep.
II
I’ve watched you in the factory’s stale breath,
A place of grinding gears, a living tomb.
Where every tick of time is closer death,
Still poor, with labor pale, denied your room.
As neighbor, friend, repeats the muffled gloom.
III
Your health exchanged for coins you never hold,
Your youth consumed, your dignity defaced.
A thread of life too fragile, thin, and cold,
Each day a debt, never to be erased.
The system writes you out, without a trace.
IV
I see you moving, body worn by fears,
Your mind grows dull beneath the endless grind.
No spark to chase away the weight of years,
No current left to lift or free your mind.
You tally numbers, blind, and left behind.
V
I speak because I will not look away.
I want to lift your face to see God’s light,
To name the weight that steals your strength each day,
And call you more than labor in the night.
Your voice matters—let Jesus end your plight.
VI
So let us dream, but dream with open eyes:
Not lies that lead us far then let us fall,
But visions rooted where your true life lies—
A world where work and worth belong to all.
And I will write until you hear that call.
Call to the Labored
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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