Temporary

by Hilary Leichter

“In human resources,” he says, “we provide resources to make sure you’re as human as possible.

He reminds me of my caffeinated boyfriend, the one I date for suspense.

Every office has a long-haired man who doesn’t trim his sideburns, who tells his coworkers things they don’t want to hear, who does a passable impression of a bird.

Maybe the banks are all the same bank. Maybe the people are all the same people. Maybe I’m my sister and my sister is me, and in this way, living is also a state of mourning.

the whole room vibrates like a reflection on a piece of billowing plastic.

I could be happy and sad. It’s the way I can multitask, it’s the way two feelings can be the same feeling. It’s the way a rash and a willow can both weep.

Amazing how the sun continues to set, how I remain.