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The World of Work
What a gift! A small hideaway in the South of France where I can retreat, review, revitalise. It works despite the heat and the crowds. I am getting a chance to look at pieces that I have done as part of the Master's course and I even have an accompanying editor.
Part of the question that has been occupying me on the course has been topics to write about or themes that matter to me. I have been wondering if there is poetry in 55 years of working. Having dipped my toe into this particular pond here are two pieces that recently came into being.
As usual, read, enjoy, share, give me some feedback.
Old Threads
After a lifetime of work
making a career of it,
I received a surprise
invitation to present myself
as a job candidate.
It last happened twenty years
ago, so there is a crisis:
business suits and an overcoat,
hung, unused in the wardrobe,
have a tiredness about them.
They are old, worn
and in need of restoration.
The oldest, a fine blue wool,
Italian cut served my working
image for over a decade.
A chocolate brown, with orange
lining followed, slightly riskier
for corporate, though it did
lift my sombre image,
brought a warmer look.
The most recent, a mere three
years old is M&S off-the-rack,
dark, quasi-formal, bought
on the cheap for a wedding,
dressed by a maroon waistcoat.
The overcoat, soft navy wool,
raglan sleeved, lifted everything
to the height of elegance,
gave an executive appearance
and served me well until now.
In real terms, they have reached
the point of the unwearable.
Threads used to make fine fabric
have come to a natural ending
deserving of gentle withdrawal.
Peter Clarke
February 2019
On Being Interviewed for a Job
I am going . . . well . . .
I am being interviewed
for work tomorrow.
I face corporate in all its regalia:
Glass offices, suave suited
Been there, etc
Younger, wide-eyed, naïve
Arse from elbow, etc
I do have a copy of the questions
Forgotten more, etc
Highly skilled, experienced
Track record, etc
It is still daunting, scary
What if, etc
I am going . . . well . . .
Peter Clarke
February 2019
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