Being Unemployed

I’m an ambitious, self-motivated person,
Who thrives on a challenge, and works well under pressure.
I have a good working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint,
-Crucial life skills doncha know?
You might as well end it now if you can’t draw tables,
Or cut and paste workbooks-
I have a first class degree in English literature.
-I was also super woman for a few years
But am now looking for a career change-
I would be thrilled to join your company.
Click. Send.
It’s out there now, out in the ether,
To get lost amongst millions of other voices.
It’s no use shouting louder, It’ll only add to the noise.
It’s time to wait,
Thumb-twiddling time.

Afternoons of ‘Countdown’, intermittent computer tapping,
I’m losing heart, I’ve lost the will,
My life is filled with mute responses.
I’m talking to myself, only myself to answer to,
I can’t answer.
Google this, google that, google me a life.
Make lists, research,
Read, find something, what’s this?
No good, Two years experience required.
Up and down, upstairs, down again.
A paper on the floor- flicked through, semi-read,
A carcass of information, tomorrow’s nuisance.
The couch imprinted with the shape of my back,
Prepped for the slouching,
Hunched over, round shouldered.
(I’m unemployed who needs a good posture?)
Blank for a moment.

The television flickers pointless pictures,
Familiar voices bring comfort,
Without saying much, they say it all.
Newsreaders say, Look at My double-breasted jacket
And Monsoon beads,
I have a job.
Presenters say, I’ve done the running, I’ve made the tea,
now I’m the face of today,
I have a job.
Actors say, This is my big break, you watch,
I’m the cover of next week’s Grazia.
I have a job.
I’m watching other people’s lives happen.
Waiting for mine to happen.
Watching, and waiting.
I’m getting good at this,
I’m unemployed.