jumping the line

i join the fire department

to see

if can jump the line for a vaccine

shot, to become a first responder,

but they won't

take me on account of

my age

and lack of experience.

i quickly do some pushups

and sit ups to demonstrate

my physical condition.

i tell them about the grease

fire i put out on my stove

last night when deep frying

some calamari, and the time i

used the garden hose to spray

a roman candle that fell on

its side last fourth of july.

still no dice.

and now i'm at the end

of the line.