you expect to know me
but only spend thirty minutes
prodding and poking
with pointed questions
that don’t really tell you anything
about me or anyone,
other than that i know
(or perhaps not)
what you want to hear
and will gladly tell it to you
no matter what i really think
because i’ll do just about anything
for 40 grand a year and benefits.

I stand there
then sit here;
all the whilst
you judge me
and i judge you:

do you like me?
do i like you?
do i pass your test?

why should i let you judge me?
how should i answer this question?
do you want the truth or a lie?

do you want to hear that i
really only want a paycheck?
do you want to know that i
love being off in the summer?
do you want to hear that i
really don’t care?
do you want to know that i
was once kicked out of uzbekistan?

probably not,
and so i’ll tell you exactly
what you want to hear
and i’ll expect as my just reward
the bestowment of the job,
no lie.