Chasing Ambulances

The alarm sounds each morning
like a siren from an emergency vehicle
whose lights flash between the window blinds,
and the drive to work is like chasing
an ambulance to your own grave.

Working towards what appears to be retirement,
stuffing a mattress full of dollar bills to curl up on
to get a better night's sleep,
a little more cushion,
financial security.

But a bed that is too soft can make the back
hurt when you get up there in age,
so take the experience as a misunderstanding,
a rehearsal played out on the wrong stage.