The security guard at my work says his shift
stretches out like a piece of bubblegum.
I've never heard something so true, how even
the day's flavor seems to get blander than chewing grass, but
like cows, we keep on chewing.
How sometimes, the day's so dry, 
it gets stuck in your throat & you can't swallow until the day ends itself.
 
 Today, after my 148th conversation about 
the weather, I feel marooned on an island 
without any trees or shells or rocks. 
& I'm here chatting with the wind, 
feeling as sorry for myself as possible. 

If only there were a river here where
I could see that beautiful face once again
where I could throw myself into myself
& not hear another bar code scanned
or child scream or have another customer ask
What're you doin' here of all places?

But then, all of a sudden, it's over. 
My last 15 minutes took over a millenium to end, but 
they have ended. I'm free. 
What should I do? Watch a show, play some games or
just wait for tomorrow's shift?
Maybe I'll just stare into the black of my phone,
that dark river, until I slowly slip & catch myself 
in another world.