when someone dies at work

watch the blank

eliminate all the expressions on

the faces &

listen to the sound of

less than a

pin drop---

here is where the everyday mundane reality of

the workplace

comes to a crashing halt

for a moment,

when the sledgehammer of mortality

comes slamming down upon

all the heads of the workers

reminds us all

just how quick

we will all go.

 

when the boss comes to each room

in order to inform,

s/he does so with an unparalleled rapidity

so as to get the message to the mass of workers

before they get it themselves,

because the onset of personal panic

increases with every minute &

like a computer virus spreading,

one cannot find the source

but it simultaneously eclipses &

tears are already streaming

when the boss eventually enters---

his/her face gets red,

because s/he already knows that the news

has hit the people in front of him/her.

 

whether you want to admit it or not

people often spend more time in their workplace

than they do with their own family or

friends &

perhaps, in that very workplace, if one is lucky enough,

said workplace can create friendships &

an atmosphere of family can emerge---

hence, the hopeless feeling that fills the room,

fills the heart &

pains the mind,

because a conversation had yesterday

was the very last one to be had &

it might have been only

shop talk…

alas,

there was never enough time

to extend the friendship

beyond the workplace &

though even the “expected” death of

a sick relative or loved one

can be seen as abrupt,

when someone dies at your workplace,

all that’s left is an empty chair &

the wish that it was still filled,

so that the two of you could spend a

few more moments

laughing.