the stapler i stole

i look at the stapler on my desk.

it's black.

very official looking

and ready

for business.

i stole it from the office

i was fired from

back in 1985.

i deserved to be fired.

i did little work,

drank a lot of coffee

and flirted with the secretaries

when i had

a free moment

after talking about sports

around the cubicles.

i still have the stapler.

i don't think i've used it in

years other than hammering

a nail or two in the wall.

in fact, i can't

remember the last time

i stapled things together.

does anyone still do that?

the staples might be rusty,

but it's a reminder of sorts

holding sentimental

value to a more simple

time. a time of snap

on ties, old spice cologne,

and happy hour that lasted

five hours.