"How am I supposed to get ahead in life
if I am constantly effecting repairs?"
Two steps forward one step back?
The blade tip tangs off of a saucer's edge,
Sunbright white apple flesh slips loose
as it withdraws to the cutting board tasks.
"Yes, something like that-"
Don't lick your fingers before we're done.
It's impolite. Plain rude.
"If I have to keep fixing things as they break down
and covering costs, when do I get ahead?"
You don't.
You may, if things break your way.
A short sip of tea and a pink cloth napkin
dabs each side of the wide blade
until it splits the eyes like the
glimmering miniature forks
resting beside the disks and wedges of
dewy juice sweating fruits
inside each saucer.
"That's stupid."
Is it? Maybe 'getting ahead' means
living comfortably. Where are you trying to get to?
"A place where I don't have to fix things all of the time."
We should probably get some sugar cubes out,
the tea is a little too dry.
"A place where I can have nicer things.
Reliable things. New things!"
A short slurp and a little cough.
A bumble bee printed cigarette case
serves as a cup rest. "You're right,"
"it is a bit dry." Chairs rattle and groan
against warming morning patio cement.
"I'm tired of being poor."
Being poor or feeling poor?
'Getting ahead' for you, for me,
may only amount to advancing life one more day,
one more week. Things will always need fixing.
They will always break down, new and old.
Be glad that you are able to and imagine
where you would be
if you couldn't. At least now all you need
is a little luck.
A lawnmower coughs and dies. Cusses drift
up and up and mute
into the hiss and swish of tree leave's
sway and gossip. Birds resume
their afternoon plans.
"Getting ahead in life..."
You don't. I don't. Not in the way you're thinking.
The best you'll do is a vacation here and there.
Maybe a car or two and a house. You'll feel poor then too.
Apple slice snaps in a toothy smile,
chewed vigorously before a miniature fork clatters
to a saucer face.
Have patience. Your day will come for you
and it will either be the day you get what you want
or the day you realize you already had it.
original works of parts
