“You’re late,” the voice said.
“On the phone you said the job begins at eight,” I responded.
“It does,” the voice replied. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“Here is your desk,” the voice said.
“That computer looks outdated, and that chair is broken,” I responded.
“It is the best we can do,” the voice replied. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“Here is your work,” the voice said.
“This is all for me?” I asked.
“We’ve added to your position,” the voice replied. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“Paychecks come out on the last day of the month,” the voice said.
“Have you added to my check too?” I asked.
“No, we had to make cuts to compete,” the voice replied. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“I have to go now,” the voice said.
“What if I need help, or have questions?” I asked.
“Send them to my assistant,” the voice said. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“Nice to meet you,” another voice said.
“Was that a typical orientation?” I asked.
“No, you got the deluxe version,” the other voice said. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“You’d better get to work,” the other voice said.
“I’m still getting adjusted,” I replied.
“To leave before dark, you’ll need to hurry,” the other said. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“Has it always been like this?” I asked the other voice.
“I’m not sure,” the other voice said. “Ask him, he’s the oldest. He’s nearly 45.”
“Nobody’s older than 45?” I asked. “Oh, that’s right. Soon, I’ll understand.”
“The older you are, the bigger the paycheck,” the other voice said.
“Let me guess,” I replied. “That’s dangerous around here.”
“Not here, everywhere,” the other voice said. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
“What if I don’t understand,” I said. “What if I leave this place right now?”
“Good luck,” the other voice said. “I’m sure you’ll find a better place out there.”
“You never know, I just might,” I said. “Soon, you’ll understand.”
by Cody McCullough
Cody McCullough Writes: 
Yup, soon they’ll all understand.
Hopefully in time….
Cleverly done.
Thank you Paul. The structure of this poem is definitely unique. I like how it turned out in the end.
very true and yes cleverly written.
Thank you for your comment. It does have a bit of truth to it doesn’t it?
Crazy times. k.
You are right. Definitely crazy times.
If only we GOT what we were supposed to “understand” on the first day! After eight years of loyal dedication… my pay has been cut and everyone around me who has been hired after me has never gotten a raise… “they are lucky to have a job” the voice says… at least you have benefits and are making more than half more of their hourly pay the voice inside my head says… so I stay and wait…but too many people have accepted what the voice says… GREAT Poem!
I know the feeling.
Great poem for a Monday morning.
I glad that my poem could be part of your Monday morning.
Kept me enthralled. Thanks. I know the feeling too.
It seems to be a growing feeling.
Now, why does this resonate with me ??
Hmmm, maybe I will understand soon 😉
Love the fierce drone-familiarity of this one
and the switch at the end.
Well written.
I was happy that I came up with the switch at the end. It seemed to be a good way to close out this one. Thank you for your intuitive comment.
Thanks for the like and I’ll add a link on my page for you…wanna do the same for me?