‘Interview’ Poem

Flickering electric lights, the buzzing static cannot distract.

Faces of rivals, eyeing each other for the meat and potatoes.

My eyes stare straight, unwilling to submit.

Years have breezed, still a deadbeat to family.

“Look at all your cousins, and then look at you.”

Refusing to conform to their standards, they never understand this pain.

False leads and deadends, the only market I know.

Lingering and waiting, my fiery passion no longer lit.

Three days of no sleep, a starved crave for caffeine.

Dry but wet mouth, nicotine tempting the mind.

Teeth clenching, this tense anxiety persists.

I can’t leave now; they’ll take my spot.

The eliminative questions, what will they ask?

Prepared or not prepared, I think I’ve done enough.

“Jobhunting is fair and square”, they all say.

“Is suicide fair and square?”, I say back.

The eyes of hungry rivals, glare at the open office door.

A man in a black elegant suit, he puts his promising face on.

“Mr. Adler?”, my name called.

Shaking his moisturized hand, I smile with hidden pain.

Is this another dead-end? Or is this the moment?