13/30 Shit I Been Through, In No Particular Order #1

straight A truancy 

French honor

graduation early 

gives thanks for not having

to return after thanksgiving 

first job hunt

in mainstream America 

fills out application

naive newcomer changing the world

my observation skills  

always aware of surroundings

arc du triomphe, le tour Eiffel 

tri-color everywhere

honor student
conducts interview in French

new comer excited
cosmopolitan meets urban

newcomer unfamiliar with racism here

hired

working
Neiman Marcus secret

underground plantation style

17 years old 14 dollars an hour

only black faces busing tables 

or slinging sweet tea cocktails

newcomer mistake

mistook the south for southern France

cosmopolitan forces urban

employs me 

black face hostess

southern bells offended

refuse menus 

just place them on the table

refuses pens to sign their checks

just place it on the table

refusing to place money in my hands

they just place it on the table

staff pissed and enjoying masters return

black bartender watching seeing my future

training two weeks 

halts two days in 

you closing tonight 

you never showed me closing

question

no instructions given 

no keys to lock doors

bartender steps in shows me how

locks cash in safe

locks doors checks twice

next morning unscheduled 

still there before the sun

waits for explanation

accused of theft

calls for supervisor

safe open cash in hand

hands over
explanations
fire at will

I will fire back

transferred new department

shipping and receiving 

refusing pay reduction

8 dollar difference

you looking at my paycheck?

causes a problem

calls supervisor

transferred again

tis the season wrapping gaudy

overpriced ugly

they commission

me refusing pay reduction

tips for ostentatious meets tacky

up to two hundred every shift

you looking at my paycheck?

causes a problem

calls supervisor

cosmopolitan stretched 

thinner than our first meeting

17
bank account healthy

refuses transfer

takes money and runs

first job
successful

ready for more