Life Burned Him

Stuck in a traffic jam in the sweltering heat,
he could see the humidity dancing along the horizon,
and he began to burn in his slacks and dress shirt,
sweat rolling off his forehead.

Thoughts of his dad began to swirl in his mind,
depression began to sink in
as he thought about last month's funeral;
he knew his old man was suffering a slow burn in hell.

Vehicles continued to churn and burn their gas
as they inched and inched towards their goals,
which did nothing for him except ruin his mood and
anger began to burn up the anticipation of his presentation.

Finally and late he punched in at the clock and
listened to today's watercooler newscast
before heading to his desk on which sits a picture of her,
and he burned with desire and thrill knowing he'd see her tonight.

Lunch came without much fan fare and
anxiousness was the aroma in the lounge;
he burned his lunch in the microwave while worrying
about the client's verdict that would soon be handed down.

TGIF wrapped up with a new client, a new deal, and a bonus;
tonight he would celebrate with his lady of love,
and burn the bridge to his past corporate failures,
striding forward to a new chapter of success.

He donned a clean suit and tie, polished his shoes,
setting out for Main and Broadway to that
little Mom and Pop floral shop to burn some time,
and there he picked up her favorite--lilies.

Corniglia's was packed, though he knew the maitre d'
would sneak the lovely pair to their table by the Monet,
but to his disgust she burned him by showing up
at Rosetta's across the street on the arm of another man.

Into the trash the flowers fell and
he stewed down the street and
all the way home to find
his house burned down at his feet.