Time for a Change

Looking above, I can see only ceiling

And florescent lights,

And a large duct for AC.

The white array of tiles is coated

With water damage and my dust and

The dust of those come before.

I would be claustrophobic in this place

Constricted by the hand of the living grey walls;

Completely they engulf me on any side.

But I remind myself that there is life

Beyond-

Life beyond this chair, these walls, this place. 

I remind myself of these dreams of mine

And how they still exist;

The flame may be dulled but it is still

Alive.

I talked with a woman.

She is courteous and kind and oh so wise.

I told her of the pursuit of something different.

‘What do you have lined up?’ was her question.

‘Nothing.’ I said.  ‘Time to move on.’

‘I have been here 27 years,’  My heart stopped

as I realized she has worked longer than I have breathed,

her final words before we parted ways, ‘I am so sick of it all.  I am just so sick of it.’ 

-          MR, 7/6/09