For three years I camped in the job
never moving in
never signing a lease
never bringing my photographs.
Resignation became frustration became resignation
surprise was surprised – surprised it took 1200 days.
Change was coming, but not yet arrived
I told them : “ this can’t go on ”
yeah yeah.
The biblical rod and staff
the staff were a rod across my back
two explanations : for everything
1 “it’s not my job.”
2 “I’m just about to go on break.”
In the end it was a very small thing
heat = flash evaporation = ‘effective from 6 June…’
My replacement said, “about Mary …. I’ve been hearing ”
confidentiality – professional ethics – nondisclosure – absolute.
She said it was important to know the issues affecting staff
confidentiality – professional ethics – nondisclosure – absolute.
A third attempt
confidentiality – professional ethics – nondisclosure – absolute.
Her eyes flickered hostility
confrontation hovered
a pause… stretched …. past resentment
then
she spoke, without speed, with solemnity.
Before she continued she wanted commitment
commitment not to confer the information she had been seeking.
Did I promise?
“Yes.”
She said she’d been making herself known to her new staff
my old staff
talking casually …. getting a feel for things
“I spoke with Mary yesterday, she …. she told me you were hopeless.”
Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry 