Lit eZine Vol 10 | p-12 | POETRY | Application

SHORT POEM

APPLICATION
Short Poem by Greg Lehman

Social security number: _ _ _ - _ _ - _ _ _ _
 - all the leaks
   • reported daily
     - have no bearing
       • on this question,
         - so, please
           • provide the lock and key
             • to your societal self
               - above
                 • so as to stay
                   - in said society

Or, 
	leave 
		for crimes that feel
			more convincing 
				the more of these
					you fill out,

misdeeds as common
	as they are caught

or forgiven
	per tax bracket.

Race:
1. Hispanic _
2. White and NOT hispanic _
3. Two or more races _
   •Should you choose 
     •to read between these lines, 
       •you can gather our assumption
         •that Hispanic 
           •runs in your blood
             •however you present. 
•We will then ingest 
  •your application 
     •with an impartial gut. 
       •Rest assured 
         •sarcasm touches 
           •no part 
             •of this question. 
•The law, after all, 
    •is very clear 
      •on these matters.



This question, again, 
	and again after 
		2024, the year 
			from which Sower
               foretells, 
       burns, 
reports,

Multiple choice/writing section:
 - No wrong answers, 
    - please, help us 
       - get to know you.

Sure, 
   I’m not thinking 
      about right answers
	 in a time when 
	   “late-stage capitalism”
	       is spoken 
		   like the most earnest
 			of 3-word prayers: 
				“Lord,
					have
						mercy.”

I.  Given the choice, would you rather:
    A.  work for money 
    B.  have nothing

The last reply: 
      “We’ve gone 
            in another direction,”

Can I 
      go 
           in another direction?

II.  Given seven digits a year, stock options, every benefit covered, and the 
     intangibles of top-tier social swagger, what wouldn’t you do? 

Weaker moments 
        kneel to the texture 
                  of color-shifting ink, 
green, 
     metallic, 
	and black-stamped 
		on a quarter linen, cotton, 
strong, but 
	soft enough
			for anyone
				to fall 
					through.

Have you ever been asked 
to leave a job? 

Rather, have you ever
not gotten along 
with someone? 

Have the dynamics that keep 
management where it is
ever rubbed you
the wrong way?

Or, how lucky 
have you been 
to find that only the best people 
sign off on securing 
the survival of others?

It’s not easy, 
	but it’s a good thing
		that I’m perfect.

V. If you are currently employed:
	- does dissatisfaction 
		- hum in the hairs 
			- of roots in parched soil 
				- where you are planted
					- at present?
				
VI. If you are currently unemployed: 
	- does dissatisfaction 
		- quiver in the air,
			- like an absence 
				- with a pulse, 
					- vibrating,
						- sick   
							- of waiting? 

VII. In either case: 
	- would you describe 
		- these tiny movements as:

twitching, like a muscle, in anticipation,

	B. oscillating, metronomic, pacing atop a capacity for tolerance, especially as this rhythm, this volume, may or may not whittle at your claim on dexterity,

	C. trembling, in fear,

	D. shivering, as if in the cold,

	E. shuddering, in shame, as one does when stomaching compromise in tandem with a tentative hold on shelter and calories,

There are, 
	in fact,
		many, 
			many
				stupid questions.	

*Click 
“submit.”*

Indeed.

Thank you, 
	please allow time 
		for us to respond, 

be it a week 
	or an indefinite silence 
		that will speak for itself. 

My lineage 
of aspirants

from the nomadic 
hunter-gatherer 
to the seasonally-contracted 
junior content creator 

keep eyes 
narrowed, square
shoulders, aim 
for poise on a medley 
of cover letters, I-9s, 
resilience, 

in getting told 
that your work history 
will not move 
to work future here, 

attach more 
pdfs, sleep 
less, 
persist, 

follow up, expand 
the network to yield 
like photons awaiting 
a surface 
and an observer 
for an outcome of light 
to land less as waves, a line 

to where we won’t breathe 
better, won’t eat 
more, 

will trade one 
obstinate rune 
for another login, 
a new social circle, 
claims of security, 
more numbers, 
few names.