I gave the box of books you gave me
I removed the box of books to ease the pain
I trembled as I carried them downstairs
to your office
you were behind a closed door talking to a false blonde
she listened to your words and nodded

What are they?
Words I listened to as you began to guide me
to work I enjoyed
As a shark circled around me, the one before me, taking me in, finding the right time to attack
So hungry.  
I felt her presence the entire time
Did you know?

You gave me the benefit of your past
Set the bar for me, worried over it
and I came through for you.


Walking through the empty halls
An ominous feeling
Something is amiss
I always know
Why do I always have to have the premonition?

The office door closes, I watch you take your seat
behind your power desk
A big space between you and me
like I'm a threat to you, something to fight off
Attack first, so I don't send you flying
What are you thinking?
You words come out, fresh from the corporate factory of talking points
You're not it, she will take it to the next level
You are not enough for us. You are done.

If I am surprised on the hopeful side of my brain
it's because you dissembled, don't you see?
Now you act like I'm an upstart
Claiming what was never mine
Don't I know my place?
I wasn't hired for this
These words
I sit passively
Feeling the poison set in

My mentor, my guide
I want to drop my keys on the floor
run from the room
drive from this place and never come back

I am tied by a paycheck to the chair
How I dream of running from the room
In my mind, I have escaped from your daggers
In reality, I sit obediently on the chair as you
stop talking realizing no one is talking to you
I can't remember how I left the room

I give you a box full of invisible tears today
I return sadness

Later, you are
Slumped in your vast leather chair
Looking tired

Tomorrow I will see you again
rushing around with the other bosses
breaking heads, crushing spirits
My pain forgotten