written on Labor Day
a gray-haired worker
takes another sip of coffee
from his thermos ...
tower crane after tower crane
against the twilight skyline
FYI: This tanka is inspired by PBS's 14-minute documentary,
City of Cranes, a film that "provides a unique perspective on urban construction by focusing on the lives and experiences of crane operators. The term can also metaphorically refer to cities with a high density of construction cranes, such as Toronto, which has frequently ranked highest in North America for its number of tower cranes."
Added: The construction industry, a major global employer, increasingly relies on migrant construction workers (MCWs) to mitigate labor shortages and enhance cost efficiency. Despite their vital role, MCWs face numerous challenges, including exploitation during recruitment, safety risks, health issues, and difficulties with social integration...excerpted from "Migrant Workers in the Construction Industry," Buildings, 15:5, 2025
My haiku below is written in response to one of these challenges faced by migrant workers:
fluorescent lights buzz ...
waiting for stamp after stamp
for a work permit
