Iron Content

We were halfway through the performance review,

discussing the jagged lines of the quarterly goal.

The boss was using a yellow highlighter,

then the first warm drop hit the page.

It bloomed right over 'Areas for Improvement,'

a heavy, copper-tasting star.

The body has a way of interrupting

when you're trying to prove who you are.

I retreated to the breakroom for the towel,

the scratchy brown kind that doesn't soak.

I watched the rust-colored spots spread,

thinking of all the things I hadn't said.