don't rain, i need the money

i look back on the twenty

nine

or so different

jobs i've had

over a lifetime.

staring

at the pay stubs,

thrilled

with a ten-cent raise.

a Christmas

bonus

of twenty dollars.

a slap on

the back,

an expression of praise.

the factory work,

the yard

work.

construction.

always out in the weather.

the office job,

which was the

worst of them all.

i never slept so well

as i did

in those days.

never worried about

what i ate

or drank, or how late

i stayed out.

invincible, immortal.

just hoping

it wouldn't rain.