Leaving Is the Best Part

Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

The best part of work is

when I leave for the day,

when I mechanically swallow the last two sips of

cold coffee, stale pop, or flat fizzy water,

when I reach for the black on/off

rocker switch to snap off the

fluorescent desk light.

Rising from my chair, I

increase my pace to avoid

walking out with a “certain person” who

slows me down because she

strolls too much and

talks too much.

I’m determined to leave NOW, as I

rush to the gym.

I don’t want to be late for kickboxing class. I

accelerate my pace as I trot toward my

joy.

So too,

The best part of a meeting is

when it’s over.

Scooting back my chair on the corporate carpet, I

pick up my Pilot pen,

scribbled papers,

and purse, then

pull open the heavy glass conference room door and