ARTICLE BY STEVE BARKER

end of the month

an overdue phone bill sits next to the typer
only 12 bucks
with a velvet ring
from a wine bottle
that sat on it for six days
I got the twelve bucks but
the motivation isn’t there
probably pay it the second time around
when it’s 18 bucks
could have a bottle of velvet with that six bucks
but somehow I always have money for wine
even though I don’t take too much pride
in my job

work doesn’t start until I get there
fifteen minutes late
hungover with sour breath
no need to tell me what to do
I’ll get it done
then sit on my ass until punch out
employee of the month means nothing to me

not a whole lot does
except my typer
and my purple bottles

probably won’t even pay my phone
when 18 bucks rolls around
the unopened envelope
will lay next to the typer
gathering velvet rings