Quarter To Five (A Zombie Poem) Poem by Hans Ostrom

He works as a zombie from 9 to 5. He climbs
into a catatonic state and performs duties
as are assigned to him. He's under the spell
of employment. (It could be worse.) His
co-worker, Barton, said, 'You scare me.
You look like the living dead.' 'Don't worry, '
he said, 'I'm just behaving professionally. After
work I become vibrant and garrulous.'

'But I don't get it, ' Barton said, '- what
job-title around here requires a person
to behave like a zombie? ' 'In my particular
case, ' said the man, 'it's Chief Deputy for
Zombic Affairs.' 'And what is it exactly
you do? ' asked Barton. 'Barton, ' he said,
'you don't want to know.' With his blank,
unnerving, but professionally appropriate
affect, he resumed his duties, for the clock
read only quarter to five.



hans ostrom 2009