I can feel these damn stilettos
Digging into your back
And there’s nothing I can do to stop them

A Starbucks cup of coffee
With your name on it
Left on the counter below

I guess I’ll still drink mine
Something to fuel my climb
Up the corporate ladder

Here’s your neck another step
All I can do is hope
It doesn’t hurt too much

I’m past where you’ve been
You look so small
From up here

Except for those broad shoulders
I rode for so long
Now they’ll only be the burden on your back

I’m sorry, forgive me
Dare I even ask you that favor
What’s the power structure here

But sooner or later
I’ll be at the bottom
After pouring my soul

Into an underling I never imagined
Would surpass me
In the lessons you taught me

Happy happy hour
Here’s a martini
To dull the perception is reality

So they say
Here let me massage
That pain in your neck

That won’t go away
Even at the end of the day
Don’t leave just yet

As a thank you
I’ll get those broad shoulders too
They’ll only be the burden on your back.

© 2008 Alix Purcell