Blown in from the Windy City
and caught in the grasp
of those huge, hugging arms of Brotherly Love
complete with flash mobs and
increasing violent games and
what I'll call
Sibling Rivalry
and I put on my nice clothes
and by day 2 I'm at orientation
on how I can sell pizza for $7
while next door you get it
for $1.80 a slice and
you can make that a combo if you like,
just buy a tub of soda for $4.75
and you can up-size it for just 50 cents
and get free refills
all compliments of Coke companies
that remind us to go big or go home
and watch it on bootleg
for which is called theft
but the wrong criminal is prosecuted.
But I need to get my money up
so I can live and go to school
and have enough time in between
to rip my hair out
in an area where I can
dodge raindrops and bullets
and if it's not too overwhelming
I'll matrix the tears
so I can get to work
and sound happy on phones
asking for your money
I am the professional beggar
tugging on your account strings.
Sacrifice myself
to be the hated one
to make a quick buck in order to
stay afloat in oil leaked oceans.
And now
now
NOW you tell me
that I can get fired
for not asking to upsize
or that my job isn't secure
tell me that my apartment is
too expensive
and my roommate has other options
while my school status is still pending
as well as my divorce with my parents
with awkward stares across enemy lies
The heat's too much
but I can't escape this kitchen
The heat wave has overcome me
and for the first time in a while,
I'm drowning in deep thoughts.
