in front of a computer

if there is time to sit in front of a computer
and converse with impossibly far-off friends
and if there is exhaustion for an afternoon nap
then falling asleep repeatedly in front of a tv
and if travel’s elliptic return discovers
grapes becoming raisins in a refrigerator
and if cheques received are postdated
while those amounts owed are past due
and if it is t-shirt afternoon weather
but longjohns and wool socks night
and if a not-watched kettle boils three times
before its hot water gets poured on coffee
and if everyone wants to tell their story
there might be less human destruction
and if a hurricane has destroyed this year
then an abysmal silence has reclaimed
and if a cowboy drops a match burning
sulphurous into neighbouring bushes
and if there are manuscripts to read
for books to publish but not retail
and if a pigeon atop a statue head
of state religion industry is death
and if school buses continue gathering
then dropping children in institutions
and if come-down leaves clog gutter
backed-up water pools and freezes
and if sudden winter hits fiercely
during extended construction season
and if this is a one-minute survey
but another is an essay question worth
and if the telephone ringer is off
a robot answers to records messages
and if morning departure for afternoon
arrival means a short-work friday
and if waking for dawn’s arrival
is another’s high noon waiting
and if there’s an end to possibilities
then this is all rendered meaningless

T: NB Filmmakers Coop, 15 Years of Filmmaking, 1979-1994
loc: comCtre
Temp: 6 C
Sound: Tragically Hip Music @ Work