I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong
I’ve sent in hundreds of resumes,
and had only two interviews
I didn’t get either job
though I’m sure I’m far from the worst
At the first
my blouse must have been the wrong shade of cerulean
and at the second
I was passed over
for a twenty something
fluent in Spanish and Sebro Croation
Shortly after my teaching resignation
I prepared the requisite interview stories
demonstrating how I remain calm under pressure
such as the time my fifth graders
had a farting competition during math
and how, in a corporate job, I was a innovative team player
by rallying my coworkers to create a company morale song
set to the tune of A Whiter Shade of Pale
Yet still, I fail
Perhaps it’s my key word optimization
Maybe I need to ask AI
what the hot buzz words are
for a neurodivergent 65-year-old
with a for-profit master’s degree
and a stale skill set
who wants to keep it real
Here’s the deal:
I need to break a window
if I can’t open a door
Start a business
or open a store
Maybe be the world’s oldest whore
I don’t know…
But I’ll find a way to live out loud
I’ll never fit in with the corporate crowd
It’s good you don’t fit in.
LIVE GLORIOUSLY OUT LOUD.
Thanks. Something tells me I have a chance to make more money in the next 5 – 10 years if I do something unique.
Pinkdreams, I love this poem! You spoke for all those stuck between the past and the future. Your courage is a wonder to behold. To set off after years maybe decades on this new adventure takes courage. I also enjoyed reading about the challenges you faced as a teacher. Love the tone you set for this poem. Enjoyed this much.
John
Thanks, John. I have nine teaching days left, and it feels like too much. I’m going to give myself a month off, and then see what kind of new path I can forge.