On my second day
I am required to construct
An entire house
Out of raw fish 

I stare at the uncomfortably
Sharp knife in my hand 

My supervisor
Pacing behind the
Long bench of faceless men
Of which I am included

An aquaintence next to me
Gestures slightly as if to say,
“Whatever you do. Don’t look up. ” 

No matter how slightly
I turn the knob
I never find a
Tolerable water temperature
To bathe in 

As I feel the consciousness
Rushing in. I fear all
Will be forgotten
When I wake
And the damage to my mind
Is all I will have to show
For the experience 

My coworker broke a valuable
Piece of equipment
I decide not mentioned it
Later that day the same coworker
Criticizes my work publicly 

As I spit the cotton balls from my lips
I forgive myself for today 

As I taste the last drop of Kool Aid
From the flask
I forgive the the world 

As I shatter my Titan knees
At the pornographic alter
I hope it forgives me