'Plasmapheresis', by Dylan Pat Cope
There is a hole in my arm
For $20
Twice a week
One needle in my best vein
$40
Every week
Filled out an application
Showed up to an interview
Then I was the one with the needle
And it was guaranteed overtime
If there were no bosses
There would be no work
And nobody would get paid forever
People would have to find solace
In only the beauty of their labor
I am lucky to be taken advantage of now
More than ever
Boss doesn’t mind that I’m late
10 am
For an 8 am call time
He looks at the hole in my arm
“Heroin?”
“No”
It would have been a much simpler excuse
If I had just said yes
Art by Dylan Pat Cope