i'm listening

the man you are working for
is lonely.
he follows you, leaning on
his cane.
an unlit pipe in his mouth.
he asks you about
the weather.
about the traffic coming in,
the price of gas. he shows
you a scar on his hand,
but doesn't tell you how
he got it.
he tells you he might have gout.
his wife is sleeping
upstairs.
we need to be quiet, he
says. we don't want to wake
her.
how old do you think I am,
he asks you,
most people think I'm younger.
what do you think.
thirty you say,
you don't look a day over
thirty. I like you he says.
maybe i'll let you go
back to work after I tell
you this story
about a fish I once caught.
put that paint brush down.
come over and sit for awhile.
i'll make us some coffee.