Jobless In America

After I lost my job I sat In my apartment For days With the windows closed Staring at the walls Pretending I had someplace to go. I was always told You’re lucky To have a job But looking back On yesterday It was always Just another day of Showing more initiative Being more ambitious Trying harder. It began When a stranger sat at my desk Wanted to know what my job was Rumors flew around our village of cubicles Layoffs were imminent Older employees shook their heads in fear And we began looking for jobs. Called to a group meeting A heavy set man Stood in the middle of the space Like a circus ringleader Announcing That it was our last day. We were crushed The improbable had happened Our jobs had just vanished Into thin air. Leaving the office Familiar people and places Looked strange and cold Crowds, hurrying to be somewhere, passed me by And I never felt so alone. The other day I ran into someone Who sat not far from me We never spoke that much She asked me how I was And we talked Both out of work Connecting for the first time. After we parted I caught the reflection Of a stranger In the window of an empty store It was not my face, Drawn and haggard, But the eyes That caught my attention Hesitant and grey They still held hope.