VII. The flick’ring of the lights was the first clueThat something was amiss. The poet frowned.The building seemed to tremble then subdue,Accompanied by muffled thudding sounds.A creeping cold unease began to grow.He got up from his desk; his door was locked.He tried his phone and found the signal blocked,He shouted and heard only an echo.What…

VI. The poet cut a sorry figure lately;Early triumphs had lost all of their glitter.His boss called, which did not surprise him greatly,But poverty required he was no quitter.His manager was terse, her tone was brittleAs she explained to him the situation:“This lady oversees a hospitalAnd hopes you’ll diagnose an aberration.”He nodded to the guest;…

V. The poet knocked politely on the doorThen opened it and stepped into the room.His boss was there – as she had been before – Joined by a man in army uniform.The poet’s skin went cold. His boss said: “Hi,Welcome. This customer wants to discussSome poetry-based issues, which is whyI thought it best that you…

IV. The poet wore a smile, broad, smug and warm,Took praise from everyone who offered it.He thought: “I am a sage of my art form!And now I’ll just sit back and take credit.”He burst into his office in this mood,The grin still wide upon his haughty face,To find two people talking there – how rude!Who…

III. The poet stared at the blank screen and sighed:Procrastination is my only skill.His office – sparse, clean, pale – made him feel ill.Employment seemed to eat at his inside.He didn’t know what fate may yet befall himBut knew he must deliver on the hype,So reached out to the keyboard set before him,Stretched out his…

II. “A poet. You’re the first I’ve interviewed,”The woman said behind her shiny desk.“You show a certain zealous attitude,And your approach is novel, I confess.They value that in this place, so maybeYou could outline any experienceYou feel would make the promised differenceYou like to claim.” She gestured to him. “Please.” The poet coughed into his…

I. The poet needed badly to make money.It was a common problem, to be sure;His education lacked – to put it bluntly – Any skills that could stop him being poor.He found a list of fastest growing sectors,Summoned his meagre business acumen,He searched addresses for boards of directors.He sat, he wept, he prayed. He grabbed…