The Problem with Jones

By Cliff Lake

 

The Problem with Jones

 

The problem with Jones

Was that he never listened.

Well, he DID listen,

But not to you.

He always looked like

He was hearing something else,

Something you couldn’t.

You know that irritating head-tilt?

The one that says,

Are you sure

That you know

What you’re talking about.

Jones had that.

He had it all the time.

Then he would tell you

What you’re thinking

Right as you thought it.

The problem with Jones

Wasn’t that he wasn’t listening –

It was that he heard.

He heard the things,

The things you never said.

They took him one day.

You know who.

He was there.

Then he wasn’t.

It’s been quiet here for weeks.

And I don’t know what I’m listening for,

But I’ll know it when I hear it.

Smith is having an affair.

How do I know that?

Carl is fudging the books and

Vikki…

Oh Vikki…

The problem with Jones is

He isn’t here.

 

Cliff Lake 8/10/2024

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2024

Location: Wichita, KS, USA

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