Tetley and the real Tea gardens

India a land of spiritual vibrancy

great mountains chains

rivers running free

the tea gardens that stretch

away before the eyes

where slaves are tested

and where strength is key

the land  cleared of forests

and its true bareness

is heralded by the tea bush

and the way

its planted over the hills and dales

and where the blossom kind of sails

and it receives more than its share of sprays

its all about the yield margin and profit

the workers are not treated

they are there

the managers they crack the whip

expecting without any lip

out put to rise  that is the size

of how these gardens share

the working people

each have families

each not unlike us

human beings caring thoughtful

ready to discuss

ways to improve  what they do

but not given a thought

they are treated badly

and in this web of iniquity are caught

The great big corporations

are on a global scale

with minions running left and right

its as if we are in  gale

nobody has any chance of advancement

in the field

its all about the profit

its all about the yield

masses of fertilizers

masses of chemical sprays

all of it done by women

and for next to nothing though

the days are longer and harder

are dangerous and the corporate

just counts up the dough

the workers are just paid a pittance

their slaves that’s if you want to know

so when you are supping your Tetleys

cooling your spirit just spare

a thought for the struggling women

in their sari’s and  their long black hair

fighting off those awful chemicals

that get into throats and to eyes

fighting back tears and all of those fears

and don’t let it be a surprise

they treat you as though you are cattle

possibly that is your fate

well I’ve been to India into Darjeeling

and I know Makaibari the weight

of expectation firmly on their shoulders

a bio-dynamic enclave

where fairness and love is apparent

and everyone there just feels great

The great corporations are relentless

they, abuse their workers alas

they don’t let them see what is great about  tea

its a chore for the poor yes enmasse

how they suffer these families a working

a slaving, there all through the day

if they are not picking tea

they will break rocks you see

they are over a barrel lets say