Technician

TECHNICIAN

If I am but a small screw 

in this, your inscrutable machine, 

would the DIYer’s dusty box 

of tools be smaller still, 

their only drill bit too thin

to do more than hollow out 

my core in a pile of silver shavings.

Would they rave at this 

a while, grinding their teeth 

at each repeated failure 

to extract me from my post

and save themselves 

a buck. Forgive this wasted

afternoon, their muttered fucks.

And then, despite a host

of tricks and tips promising 

better luck, a surer grip, 

let no expedient remain

to them but you, and this

at whatever exorbitant cost.