i went for a job interview, left longing for a travel visa

i didn't bring my leather bound expandable portfolio.
no, it wasn't left next to the door
i just don't feel that cows have to die for me to carry a pencil
and a sheet of paper.
there are people who thought otherwise.

early signs that i was in
a de-facto young republicans meeting:
plastic watches with velcro straps,
copious chewing gum offending my nose
from all angles, people who looked comfortable
in business suits.

my neck chafed against
a buttoned collar, longing for
natty thrift store t-shirts.

i answered all the questions,
my mother is my greatest influence,
i like to lead though i am not aggressive,
favorite movie this year is juno,
i write a whole damn lot.

"writing poetry" was the answer for about
11 of the 20 questions thrown my way.

-how do you relieve stress
-how do you like to end the day
-what is one of your hobbies
-name your ideal job
-what do you consider yourself talented at?

but i did not have a leather bound expandable portfolio.
and my moss green argyle dress socks did not match
my painfully bright blue tie.
and i could not hate someone for the way they live.

i left feeling more anxious than ever
(where do these people come from?)