Absent

Monday will be like Friday and the work days between
Maybe I’ll look up from my desk and catch a glimpse of
Someone walking to the break room
Or I’ll hear someone else talking in the cubicle next door
Maybe I’ll be walking down the hall and I’ll cross paths
With people I don’t work with and maybe we’ll greet each other
But most likely nothing will happen

I’ll sit at my computer
Getting up only if I have to
I’ll get my lunch from the break room
And eat it at my desk
Maybe I’ll have to talk to someone in the cubicle next door
I’ll have trouble concentrating as usual
But I’ll get something done yet it seems barely enough
When the day’s over I’ll get my gear on and slip out of the office
Saying a goodbye to whoever’s at the front desk
The walk from the office to the parking garage is always timed
To be between the groups of people also leaving for the day
And when I finally ride away from the garage
It is the garage attendant
Who says a goodbye
When I get home and stare at the computer screen
Unsure of what to write
I’ll realize today was still a good day
Because I didn’t think about you at all