Poetry

Kate Bernadette Benedict

Landing the Interview

In my twenties? Far from it, alas,
but don't allude to any boom or generation.
Tell him: I am considering dislocating
and looking to know what's out there.
Tell him: I've many years' experience in the capacity,
am willing to clock undertime,
am willing to call him maestro general.
I will take down what he dictates,
though not in blackletter,
do his expenses with the utmost congruence.
Tell him: I understand fully
that this place is not that place,
that compensation, benefits, perquisites
are of a different order.
I've noticed that even the uniform is different,
triangle shirtwaists being the standard here,
little bright gloves.
Tell him: I can squeeze into those.