father, can you hear me?

ishmael of the wilderness
parched, getting light-headed in the desert of paran
mouth foamy at the edges
something about City of Hyattsville Earth Day Celebration on his t-shirt
or a Mr. Bubble iron-on decal
whatever

father, can you hear me?
i submitted my resignation letter this afternoon
with shaky hands
and freshly shat pantaloons
boss came into my office after hearing the news
closed the door
and saw through my soul
deep into the tiny stacks of money being tossed in my mind

they say i've been gone too long
drinking Carlos Rossi with misfits
and jamming out with janitors after dark
but i say i've just arrived
shamefully inebriated at your favorite bar
sweaty brow
wondering what direction i'd tumble in if i rose to use the restroom