Retrenchment

I lie down on bed,
Look at the row of buttons
On my shirt, in a line
Like a series of events
Unconnected, yet tied up.

After the routine temporary death
I woke up, tried to identify myself
With the help of a mirror
But couldn’t; Irises kept darting
Like caged birds.

That cage, hung on an
Emotional chain, steadied itself,
When like cattle, I consumed
Paper grass at the office, until
A shrill telephone bell announced,
Without waiting for lunch break.
Axe’s often fall here at noon.