a deep breath of fresh air and not a care
   knowing i will never return to that hell of a place
a place where every window is covered
   in dust and child-sized hand print smudges
a place where everyone who is anyone judges
a place where no one cares
   unless you get a couple drinks in them
a place where cockroaches and mold clash for power
   and we must not speak or think of them
a place where money flows like
   rations in war times, a trickle
a place filled to capacity with penny pinchers
   coupon abusers and the generally fickle
a place where we are paid to appear and disappear
   and politely appear to enjoy your presence
a place where no one knows your name
   because, "Its a caste system, kid, and you'll always be the peasant"
a place, a zoo, where they-that-pay come and go
   while we-that-slave stay grinning in our grease-coated cage
a place no matter where you are
   you are center stage
exit stage-left
so i left this hell of a place
  with a **** paycheck and a smile on my face
the fresh air is too good to breathe just once