the unemployment line

it was

early 1970's when John

and I

together,

after getting laid off from

some lame job,

would

go through the want ads

in back

of the Washington Post,

looking for work.

we had no

skills

other than being sarcastic,

and being

young and strong.

chef,

lawyer, clerk, maid,

driver.

we crossed them all off,

and circled

the few that maybe fit

our limited skill set.

construction laborer,

custodial

engineer.

then we went down to the local

unemployment

office to apply

for benefits.

the line was long. it was cold

and windy

as we stood there

with our hands in our pockets,

stamping our

feet in the ice

and snow.

it seemed like everyone was

out of work.

but it was strangely

not alarming though,

to be adrift

in a world where the future

was unknown.