I.
You met me.
You met me
on time.
You met me
on time
& had no choice.
A weak, creaking
gate seized us.
The bolt burrowed
air into your head.
I initiated it.
I got paid to.
II.
Work gloves hid
chapped, tense
fingers.
Hair slicked back
with sweat.
The sunlight stank
& I emptied
all promises.
I got paid to.
Screams curdled
& sank my heart,
drowned in
the trough.
I wanted to stop.
If only I could
get paid to.
I paraded what
was left.
What was left
paraded me.
I was a culprit.
I committed.
I got paid to.
I got paid to
hide stress deep.
III.
People buried you
inside their bodies.
They felt nourished,
then sick.
Gurgles were heard
& lasted nights.
Their contentment
capsized, as it does.
This is common
& no one blinks.
They keep eating.