a snowman eraser smiles at me
smug, despite the pencil end shoved
elsewhere....
it's hard to believe that jolly lie
especially when delievered by
office supplies.

silence presents a focus
problem.

there's space to echo
clicks, slides and bangs from
a cliche school hall-
a distracting balm for
productivity.

the number of cups
of coffee I've
forced past my lips
does not add vigor to
my smile
no matter how much
it may taste of
synthetic vanilla.

I want to smash
this apple across
the knees of my employment.

since floricide is not
an option, I instead crawl
to the corner

and cower under my
dunce's hat,
and just wait
til the bell rings.