Proximity

Everything is together but the notebooks
are full of loose pieces of paper that
gradually fall further away from their
initial importance.

The drinking fountains are full of crumbs
that swell to exaggerated sizes blocking the
drain, and provide a less appealing view
for those lining up to get a drink.

In the mornings they give out demerits by
following the numerous trails of vomit that
typically begin in the bathrooms or at the
entrances.

Running on a half hour of sleep he stands by
the printer watching the words come out
only close enough to avoid seeing any
last minute errors. They charge by the page
and almost no one could afford the extra ink.

Through the rectangular wired window, that
looked out to the hall, he could see two girls
wearing only slippers and small t-shirts; they
were dumping trash cans full of ash into the
sink.