the worker

I need a half day
he says. I need to go down
to the courthouse
to fight my eviction. you nod,
and say okay.
okay. okay again to the courthouse,
okay to the doctor,
to the toothache,
to the hangover,
to the failing memory
and ex wives.
okay to the head cold,
the sore foot,
the robbery, the traffic
cop. the full moon.
okay to the mice in your apartment,
the broken lock,
the cracked window,
the tire flat on your car.
okay to all of it, you tell
him. good luck. good luck.
see you soon
when you have some time
to work.