Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

It was my first time in his office,
I was the contractor’s representative
he, the client –
a big client
a million-dollar tender when $100,000 gave change, on a good house.

Sometimes it’s 50/50
but this was 55/45 – at best
probably 60/40
more than marginal, not quite blatant.

Newly promoted
freshly installed
staff confidence is fence sitting –
not yet of an opinion to stay
or migrate.
I said, I knew I was asking a lot,
but I really had to win this one.

Throughout he had not interjected
asked for clarification
or shown emotion.
Now, he removed his glasses,
looked directly at me and said, “ yes, you do.”

Grandma and Grandpop never called it the Depression –
the Great Depression of textbooks,
they spoke of “ the Slump.”
What was it like?
I was then 19 – had studied economics, was curious to learn
fiction and fact .. from the matter of fact.

Best not to know,
Lord have mercy it never happens again –
but, on second thoughts,
19 is beyond childhood, old enough to vote, or go to war

What was it like?
Grandma said a man came to the house
selling, but no salesman
a silver tea set : family heirloom
it was beautiful – the price almost nothing,
but still too much.
The man turned away … and then back
afternoon was leaving, soon it would be night
the price was now whatever my grandfather had in his pocket
– a few shillings,
he handed them to the man, and shook his head.

Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry wishes all readers a happy and fulfilling New Year