WHEN YR UNEMPLOYED

you run errands all day
space out yr cigarettes
push grandma cart to pharmacy
withstand Polish refurbishers
powersawing through old wood
feed yr cat the special gruel
take out all the garbage bags
overuse the library's materials
chafe yr thighs in the Martian heat
scan the magazines for contemporaries
writers that may have done you dirty
all your mugs become ashtrays
bc you threw out the ashtray
when you quit smoking again
you walk yr girl to the station
kiss her in the neck before
she descends the crumbling stairs
you flex to the gym around noon
and batter yr soccer ball
bc the ballers came after two
you send resumes to the listings
for jobs you could do if you could do if
you did what the cover letter says
you mongrel around on a short leash
picking up exotic pennies and stamps
take copious notes on yr interpreting business
you wait for the call from dispatch
for the refugees of the Grand Concourse
you ask yr sister if she needs company
to the drop-off bc that scumbag photog
might try to grab his lense before
handing off the loot that he owes you
you check your e-mail constant bc
they might have written while you
were trolling for porno nouggat.