9/17
Sonnets From Other Lives:  Richard

You'd think 23 years would count for more
than a box to fill with crap out of your desk
and a security guard's escort out the door.
But when you're the old guy and your wife's has got MS
you become a red flag to new management.
Surprise. You're labeled a redundancy--
an easily disposed of net expense.
Waste two years trying to peddle your CV...
But at 56 years old?  An ailing wife?
You'd send their goddamn health care through the roof.
So it's down to bagging groceries.  That's just life
in this economy.  You see the proof
when you see guys from the office as you are
hauling someone's groceries to their car.