Thursday, April 22, 2010

Returns Department


Ten past nine
it’s cold and wet
haven’t had
my coffee yet

some days you love
some days you hate
most days you just
go in at eight

Look for the file
that no one’s seen
and curse the loveless
fax machine

ain't no rhyme
or reason to it
when you have to
just get through it

Something grandpa
used to say
more in a farmer
kind of way

I edge closer
to recall
when the phone
shatters it all

can’t say that it
matters, though –
have to get
that cup of joe.


[from the archives. mid 90's]

5 comments:

Julie said...

Hello, Joaquin! I hope you're having a great break...with lots of sunshine and rest...maybe a drink in your hand on the beach:) Leave it to you to make it feel like you're here, even when you're not. This is way cool (and much appreciated).

Your poem is right on. I've written some office poems, but I like yours much better, because it paints the picture so well. Egad...I remember those days. Even with my rough financial situation, I still thank the Lord every day that I'm not at my last job!

I love it all, but stanza three really jumps out. Oh, yeah! And yes, that cup of joe is #1 on the list.

Karen said...

Hello! I don't know if you even have time to read while you're gone, but I want to echo Julie's comments about this. I do now (for the first time in my life) work in an office. I had NO idea what that was like. I have learned to accommodate, but believe me, it is everything it's cracked up to be! (and I don't mean that in a good way!)

Lotsa joe helps! That and pretending not to hear!

Anonymous said...

enjoy your time out and free time...
will be checking on and off and looking for your return

BloggerMouth said...

I finally have internet around here and now I find out that you're going to be gone :-| Great. Humpf!

I haven't worked shifts like that at all because I haven't had much work experience to begin with. I remember staying up late at night through school and college exams though. People say it gets worse (egad!) Great poem!

Moanerplicity said...

I don't think there's soul who'll read this and not relate to it in some way or another. You write about REAL things and that's what makes your work so accessible to the reader. A very topical piece here, and it has definitely held up thru time. This comes as no surprise to me, because the great ones always do!

Time for my second cup of joe!

Snatch JOY, my friend!

One.

Lin