Layoff

standing up swiftly
after the shouting
was over

he fell to the floor

said

I feel like the crutch
discarded
after the miracle cure

then
turned
fractal
into himself
the equations within
inadequate
for explaining the process
but suited
for description
of its appearance
circling methodically in
upon his cry of

of what use am i now?

such violent
classrooms to be opened
such ferocious
hardware to be mastered

he broke often
trying the locks

he swelled
and atrophied
healed crooked
healed

broke again

more and more arthritic
always reflexive
he stumbled in predictable ways

what use am I?

clumsy

typical
of a generation
unused to a
troubled path

kept himself
alive without
thriving

a Friday full of longing
found him
thinking of the days
when he was
support
for the limping of others
wondering
if it was still worth learning
to live with a limp himself
to spin on
not knowing
his use

the crutch eventually
rotted into the ground
and left no trace
under the spiral arms
of galaxies
unsympathetic
to such trivia