my cube seems smaller, then I remember that forty years ago all rooms were small cubes

and no one really sat in them or did anything rather they went out and drank whiskey

little thinking time back then; and surprise now its the same

so many ways to read the same story

like a gnome wrote it all and we are all cursed to syndicate

but such hexes don’t exist except in reality

since i’m not restrained by rope/

_______

the small space won’t fit anyone else

and that is reason enough to be alone here

with the comfort of a glowing screen and whirring drives

the visible slap of leaves on bending trees

they must be laughing at the futility of breaking a window

even in my mind

comically rushing to staunch the inward flow of wind/

_______

but i’m distracted now, with thoughts of attractive couples

walking on sunset beaches with glasses of mind-numbing drink

and resort-wear

too bad that golfing has no appeal

swinging clubs only for those who have time to waste

but the shorts are worn by admirably confident pairs

and sometimes I wish I could be one of them/

_______

Plaid doesn’t fit the demeanor of a introvert

relegated to keeping “productive time”

I could use a cigarette right about now

imagine the fragrant smoke curling from my lip

to generate countless microscopic tumors

according to the surgeon general

even vice loses its comfort/

_______

this place is my own

one of the few things with a label

meant only for me

but that sounds a little pathetic, even for a cog

and i think mind-freeing thoughts of vanquish

until the imagined aroma of a sweet hamburger

invades, but that too is blissful/

_______