Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

The doors slide open
to a hushed compartment
and another set of doors.
One will not open, until the other is closed
defying the second law of thermodynamics
heat will not become cold
noise, forbidden to pass.

Staff wear screen saver smiles
trolleys of food glide past
the carpet, mindful of traffic, is carefully expensive
tasteful paintings watch quietly from faultless walls.
Subdued speakers play thoughtful music.
A basket of sweets tempt
and quieten children.
In one corner, deep armchairs
surround a large screen and satellite channels.

Discretion is well mannered
polite enquiry
verifies right to admission.
Authentication approved, nothing is trouble
an invitation to feel comfortable and enjoy hospitality.

A trio cluster in close proximity
oasis chatter
desert silence
one listener occupying alternate time zones
of wakefulness and sleep.
It is the Saturday following Thanksgiving
a nurse steps into a pause.
Will he see Christmas?
“No.”

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.”

The phone call shocking
but not unexpected.
For the past week
fragments of alarm had cut through the static.
In truth she was like talk back radio
not correctly tuned to a station
a constant irritating buzz of shallow populism.

Hard-working and vicious
aggressively seeking out misfortune
hand delivering packages of ridicule
to the most reliable of distributors.
Workplace mistakes offered delicious satisfaction
in a fast and busy environment
the potential almost unlimited
deceiving new employees into foolishness her favourite – an art form.

Monday morning the telephone’s stridency
cuts through the locked door
a jumble of keys, briefcase and hand piece
a distraught daughter, asking for confidence and an appointment.
A suicide attempt and late night resuscitation
currently in intensive care
awaiting transfer to a mental health unit
a request not to inform the workplace.

Three months pass
resignation ceases to be a state of mind
and becomes a reality
her return coincides with the changeover.
People have been suspicious about the absence
but information has remained the property of one.
I am three days from history when she returns
on the second
she tells my replacement I was hopeless.