<p>At one time I thought he was a God.</p><p>He did change, from what he once was,</p><p>The charmer who walked in from the fog.</p><p>That charm turned from light to dust,</p><p>I watched, him sway the whole court.</p><p>With laughter and universal thoughts,</p><p>Until the time he did transform.</p><p>But first let me show you what he once was;</p><p>A giant on the stage,</p><p>Who could bring the mightiest King to his knees.</p><p>With a song.</p><p>The rise of the great Balong,</p><p>Astounding audiences all along.</p><p>Until he was stripped of all the feathers that once brimmed his hat.</p><p>The rules he chose,</p><p>That made margins one by one,</p><p>Along a desk that rest his head,</p><p>And grey did fall from the clouds unto his bed,</p><p>To fill his head with all the things,</p><p>That could trip out of step,</p><p>Or all the laws that fall upon his head.</p><p>The parrot that was his friend,</p><p>Did wallow in the scraps of red.</p><p>And there I sought watch him strong,</p><p>To watch him build foundations of the future,</p><p>But as the treasures did role in,</p><p>His thoughts turned only then to management.</p><p>It’s a strange feeling,</p><p>It started with a rumor that he’d changed,</p><p>He was a different man that passed these days.</p><p>That passed the halls,</p><p>And declaimed the ways,</p><p>Dictating his preferences and rules,</p><p>Which changed each day,</p><p>According to his plans, his knowledge,</p><p>His hands weighed down with documents,</p><p>Directions to which road was paved.</p><p>As wealth rolled in,</p><p>So did trinkets, trade,</p><p>A never-ending tide of gain ~</p><p>Until one morning,</p><p>He woke to find his hands withdrawn into themselves,</p><p>Fingers curled into brittle claws,</p><p>His spine arched into a husk,</p><p>His head folded into a helmet,</p><p>The colors that once swayed the crowd</p><p>Now dulled to grey, like distant rain.</p><p>The bold stories, declaimed aloud,</p><p>Had shriveled into memos ~</p><p>He once did set the world alight,</p><p>With a funny smile and endless fight,</p><p>Now it was only papers that he lifted to the heavens;</p><p>“Let me speak to the manager”</p><p>It’s not a good time,</p><p>We’d rather speak to people who had a human spine.</p><p>“His Name”</p><p>What are you doing up there?</p><p>I called his name all morning upon the stairs.</p><p>Lazy.</p><p>Just ignore him.</p><p>Taking a step back.</p><p>We’re taking a step back.</p><p>Now’s not a good time.</p><p>Wait until you’re feeling better.</p><p>Because we don’t want people to say.</p><p>Because we want that we just don’t want to pay.</p><p>This is just a little bit of money in the…</p><p>Don’t have expectations.</p><p>Something better come through for you.</p><p>Something’s got to give.</p><p>Yes let’s just pray that something improves.</p><p>Let’s see what he does.</p><p>Test him.</p><p>Make him feel… less than.</p><p>He’s not doing enough.</p><p>He’s not doing what we asked.</p><p>Why don’t you talk to him?</p><p>We shouldn’t have to.</p><p>Maybe he’s just not good enough.</p><p>Tell him reasons.</p><p>It doesn’t matter what he says.</p><p>Just fill his ears with excuse.</p><p>Is he dust yet?</p><p>No he’s still breathing.</p><p>Why is he still breathing?</p><p>You’re the expert.</p><p>Why aren’t you making any money!</p><p>I don’t want to hear his opinions.</p><p>It’s twaddle.</p><p>Worthless twaddle.</p><p>If he’s not going to work he won’t get any bread.</p><p>It’s predictable.</p><p>Does he think he’s better than his superiors.</p><p>How arrogant.</p><p>How stuffy.</p><p>Not the kind of person I want anything to do with.</p><p>Make him go homeless.</p><p>He doesn’t deserve a home.</p><p>Dismantle what he has failed.</p><p>What has he learned.</p><p>He used to be wonderful.</p><p>Don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.</p><p>You have failed your family.</p><p>End of discussion.</p><p>Cinematic poetry by Laurence Fuller</p><p>Adaptation of Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis"</p><p>@laurencefuller</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.laurencefuller.art">www.laurencefuller.art</a></p>