Chair Arranger Poem by Donal Mahoney

Homer's a chair arranger who
works in meeting rooms
on 30 floors in a building
tall as Trump Tower.
At least it looks that tall to him
getting off the subway
half asleep at 4 a.m.

Setting up a banquet is
the toughest job for Homer.
Long tables and many chairs
take all morning to set up
all afternoon to take down.
He works alone by choice.
Doing so is job security.

But no one wants his job,
not even young Jason,
who steps in for Homer when
he has to take a vacation.
That's when Homer warns Jason
chair arranging is like life.
What goes up must come down.
And both can happen quickly.