From the collection And Don’t Come Back, 2021.
Bad Start
the greenhorn
pushing for a group photo
wanted one of all of us
who were in that certain line of business
on that exact day
you know
when we got together that one time
anyway
we resisted
and you know why:
Because it’s
Less analysis more doing the job
and the big one:
Never any keepsakes.
I worry about that kid.
Something tells me
he’s not going to make it in this business.
9/16/20
Claudia McGill Writes Poetry, Did You Know That? 
This is definitely intriguing. You’ve successfully generated an intimidating atmosphere for something that could otherwise be innocuous. I hope the new employee figures out the company ethos before they “retire” him.
Thank you. I just have the feeling this job is a bad fit. And that they don’t have to “retire” him, as you put it! Sometimes people just wander into the wrong employment, I think we can agree, and hopefully the consequences…are bearable.
Yes. My husband lasted just about 24 hours as a door-to-door salesman before understanding what should have been obvious from the get go. He was very much not suited to that type of employment.
OMG, I think I can’t think of a job much more awful that door to door sales. Eek.