the fifteen cent raise

the first year i worked

there,

i got a fifteen-cent raise.

i was happy

for it,

plus i got a Christmas

bonus

of twenty dollars,

and a small

ham from the market.

a few

pounds

of wrapped mapled meat

that i carried

home under my arm.

quickly i tallied up 

the increase in my wages,

then drank

too many glasses of wine

in celebration,

or was it

hidden dismay?

next year was a little less,

twelve cents

more per hour.

the recession

was in full swing.

i believe it was the Carter

years.