POEM: Finding Me

The soil slowly shudders

Worms and spiders flee

Disturbance from below

As fingertips emerge

Grasping from the grave

And seeking hidden daylight

That’s me every July

As I finally take off the tie

Worn like a leash since September

Take off the suit and try to remember

Who it is I used to be

Before this job devoured me

Bursting from the grave

My hungry lungs drink deep the fresh air

I zombie-wander for six long weeks

Looking for me

Finding myself

Piece by piece

Until finally I feel human again

Just in time to be forced back down into the earth

Buried alive for another year