Bruce Severy

Job Interview

I've never been to a college campus

In a high-rise building before

But here I am

Trying not to cross my legs–

I can't remember which shoe has the hole in it

And I wonder if my belt still hides my button-less pants

How do you know that an interview is going well?

I'm pretending to take notes

But writing prayers on small slips of paper

The pockets of my sport coat are full of them

And look, here's a card from your father's funeral

The HR lady is a large woman

In a black business suit

Who answers phones two at a time

And waves to folks in the hall behind me

I figure on the way home

I can sell my blood plasma again

I wonder for the hundredth time

The odds of getting into a medical study

Then flatter myself I could move to the Valley

And hire out as a fluffer on a video crew

Now my interviewer is winding it up

Saying she'll call me before she leaves tonight

Either way, absolutely, yes or no, she says

As we stand and shake hands

And I know she never will.