Bad Friday

at 4:30 I should be unlocking my car,
instead shoving "send" button,
stubborn fax attracting busy signals.

one reason to despise the Department Of Administration,
one place that does deserve all capitals in its acronym-
D.O.A.

A bell rings at the reception door,
sad man looking for work, résumé's galore
and fearful.
"you need the office on the corner"
he is truly gray in his reply, "been there,
done that, please hear my plea."
I have faxes to send and miles to drive before
I can write a poem about him and his ruffled
jeans and George Harrison work shirt shirk,
twin pockets, no epaulets, thank all gods for that.

you will succeed on Monday,
to be sure,
now release me as I genuinely
look unable to help and feeling
very very sorry
sad for you

Sometimes it is worth it to hear,
"thanks for listening" 20 minutes later,
when nothing is busy any longer.