a flaming manager of a man
busts in with a smile and a joke
while the minion workers choke
on the possibility of their life changing

granted, it's a Starbucks job
not a vice presidential post at AIG
not exactly a stressful excess of responsibility
and the pay is pretty much rash-like

but they scramble anyway
forgetting to add whip cream to a caramel drink
most will now require a shrink
to help guide them through the recovery process

i come to the counter
speak steady and slow
order the simplest thing that i know
and they get it for me like they're getting head

i hope these poor people find peace before they're dead