Job Training
by Benjamin Hughes
Copyright © 2005
During the day
I stand in front of adults
Teaching adult learning and sales skills
to adults that should have learned these things in high school
but somehow in between then and now
their situations changed
and they had to rearrange their previous thoughts
hit with the reality
they were forced to choose
between their dreams and someone else’s test
didn’t know that when they grew up they would be locked behind a desk
being force-fed their regrets
thinking that in between work and family
they could some how find a balance
make time for their dreams
get that quick make believe through their heads
before they had to wake up again
and again I am trying to keep their heads from knodding off to sleep
because I am not that exciting
they have heard the same things before like
this is the greatest opportunity and
this is job that will make you proud
somehow
in their minds I know what they are thinking
being forced to believe in the fallacy that they were only good enough
good enough to follow
instead of lead
so they would plead
to bosses, current and past, that didn’t care
the companies’ message from their CEO constantly making them aware
by stating:
Your life is not your life
Your job is your life
Your life is just a way to make your job happen
And ever since they left their mommies arms
The phrase – SHIT HAPPENS
is never too far behind
and now in front I find that
at the age of 28 I am teaching adults how to start over
my uniform, a suit
my tools, my voice
I imagine myself on a stage in front of audience that would actually like to listen
disguised in my own submission
because I feel their pain
and I believe that the rain falls more then once in our lives
but when it rains it pours
and I am pouring out a different type of education
teaching them how to deal with lack of funds and frustration
I stand in front of adults
Teaching adults how to learn and sales skills
Their ages ranging from 19 to 52
Teaching them how to live again
Starting over – learning of how and what to do
My position is
in a position standing - in front of them
Teaching them to sell product XYZ
Teaching them to sell a promise and how to sell a dream
Teaching them to sell themselves
While they stand in front of their clients they will be like me
and they have to have the strength to breathe
See this poem is not about me
It is not about my job or theirs
Whether they would like to believe or not
It is not about the difference in my dark curls or their gray hair
It is about them learning to find the ability to see themselves
Learning to deal with change again
So in front I stand
Raised hand and voice trying to gain their attention
Hoping they will change their perspective
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Copyright © 2004 - Benjamin Hughes - All Rights Reserved