The Public Masters

We all aspire for many things in life; a family, a roof over our head, a nice paying job, a fashionable car and a chance to enjoy the finer things in life. I'm no different I can't say that I'm suffering or I lack the basic necessities in life nor can I say I know what it feels like to survive on a public servant's salary.....not the ones working for the super salaries but the ordinary clerks and supervisors in most government offices.

We wonder why these people demand bribes and work in a lackadaisical manner, sometimes we cuss them under our breath as we endure some of their crass mannerisms as they arrogantly display the superficial power they hold over at that particular time we visit their office to have our needs met. They are not public servants...they are the public masters.

Afterwards, they pack up their belongings and look at the office clock to see when it will reach 16:30 hrs, most times 10 minutes would elapse then they would make a mad rush towards the exit as if just being released from prison. They hurriedly walk to catch a waiting bus or even walk to the park, some chatter, others silently thinking of the things left unfinished at home.

I sat silently observing them as they pass by, most of them appear to be smiling at the mediocre job "well done" for the day, happy at the number of persons they have managed to piss off, happy for the extra "raise" they got for slipping in a latecomer's application into the pile that has been sitting on their desks for over a day, for putting those bigshots in their place and letting them know who the bosses are.....

....but I see through them, I see the hurt in their eyes, when you look at them, they can't hold your gaze, they turn away, they cry silently for help, for a better life, for a life like the bigshots they exert their dominance over....

I watch them change from the ferocious office beasts to mellow little mice as they enter the minibuses as they think of beasts they have to face when they reach home......