Slow Death of Another Trade

I watch the fluorescent tube flicker.
I am still stuck here, but it’s dependable.
There are gentle erosions to mark the passing of time.
The bumper telephone message pad is almost finished.

I am still stuck here, but it’s dependable.
The fax roll needs replacing.
The bumper telephone message pad is almost finished.
Someone cracks a joke about women’s tits.

The fax roll needs replacing.
We are almost out of padded envelopes.
Someone cracks a joke about women’s tits.
Someone comments that all men are redundant and useless.

We are almost out of padded envelopes.
There are circulars about staff productivity to send.
Someone comments that all men are redundant and useless.
Someone kicks the photocopier and curses.

There are circulars about staff productivity to send.
A culling of inessential workers seems inevitable.
Someone kicks the photocopier and curses.
Poor budgets are blamed yet again for maintenance issues.

A culling of inessential workers seems inevitable.
The lift keeps jamming on the second floor.
Poor budgets are blamed yet again for maintenance issues.
The whole company seems in danger.

The lift keeps jamming on the second floor.
The union expresses its anger in no uncertain terms.
The whole company seems in danger.
Perhaps it would be wise to consider moving on.

The union expresses its anger in no uncertain terms.
Heads will roll about the static pay levels.
Perhaps it would be wise to consider moving on.
I begin to scour the classified jobs sections.

Heads will roll about the static pay levels.
Mass redundancies are said to be the most likely outcome.
I begin to scour the classified jobs sections.
I need work in a new trade that’s dependable.