The days are long.
The girl technicians chat
and laugh about their dates
as if there were no unknown
pensioner on the X-ray table.

The stud days are over.
In the morning you will see
only aged widows
at the cashier's window
patient pachidermal
waiting to pay an electric bill.

The money-making days are gone.
The day is long
in the bird sanctuary
and the periodical room.

I too therefore like the office.
We can kid each other there
against the long day