Labor Day

“Man, I hate Labor Day!” he snarled
then stalked back to his cubicle
to mourn the passing of summer
and I couldn’t help but wonder why it mattered.

Climate controlled buildings with no windows
don’t know weather.
Then I went for a walk on my lunch break,
and decided to experience the seasons.

I’m going to swim until the water is
warmer than the air
then I’m going to dig out my rollerblades
and wear down the wheels
and find out where to catch a hayride and
bob for apples while dressed as a ghoul.

I’m going to deep fry a turkey
and host the whole family
then put on my sweats for a game of
touch football in the yard
and see who can go highest in the swing before ejecting into a pile of waiting leaves

I’m going to learn to ice-skate
and build a massive snow fort
then go cross-country skiing
and have a caroling party
and greet the New Year from Times Square

I'm going to take a sleigh ride
in Vermont with my valentine
then come home to fly kites in an open field
and dance in the warm rain while hiding
colorful plastic surprise-filled eggs

Before I know it, long days of sunshine will return.
Then my friend can emerge from his cubicle
and brush up on his golf game
and finish working on his house,
maybe even enjoy some fireworks.

I grabbed a quick sandwich
on my way back to the office
then ate it at my desk while I
checked my voice mail, returned calls
and read the new email from my boss about mandatory overtime effective in September.

“Man I hate Labor Day!” I muttered to myself
then stalked to the copy machine as I
mourned the passing of summer.


© Copyright 2002 JB Wallace. All rights reserved.