in hard times

a man approaches
you on the street
and holds a knife up
to your face. he says
angrily, give me
your wallet.
you tell him that
you don't have one.
your watch too, he
snarls.
you show him your
empty wrist.
well then, give
me your money. all
of it now, or i'll
stab you. empty
your pockets.
you pull out some
coins and a bill
or two, some lint
falls out and a piece
of gum. chapstick.
which makes
him say, that's it?
that's all you got?
he takes the chapstick
out of your hand
and applies it to his
lips. you work all week
and that's all you
have to show
for your nine to five
job. he laughs,
shaking his head.
he hands back your
chapstick then shows
you his thick wad of cash.
i only do this a few hours
on the weekend and i
have more than you, he
says. he puts his knife
away and walks away
down the dark street,
laughing. next week
you buy a knife
and quit your job.