Vacant

A memory of a job interview from 20 years ago

I heard that I didn’t get the job

To teach High School English

Because I was reading in the waiting room.

I was told that the principal thought,

that it was a façade.

However, I was watching a boy and his dog

Playing hide and seek around a tree,

And was soon beside a young man in a bathtub,

Folding up a letter that he read again and again

From his departed brother, while cigarette ashes

Fell into the tub.

And the man who didn’t hire me,

Was only in his office.

Reviews

[Pete]

vacant indeed. i can't stand interviews from either end. an inadequate endeavor and formality at best. impressions are just that - mere impressions.

[Arundass TP]

Interesting poem. Enjoyed reading

[JayG]

I heard that I didn’t the job

Do... you're an ENGLISH teacher and you missed an error on the first line?

That aside, what magic turns a small essay into poetry when you break it into individual lines?

[Amanda Renee]

Thank you for recognizing the first line glitch. Also, we can debate about what poetry is or is not, which is why I also labeled this as "spoken word".