The Optimism of Queuing Up

Sometimes he forgets pretty obvious stuff.
He blames the stress of work.
One day he forgot to shave.
Yesterday he forgot to wear a belt.
At lunch he decided to swing by the hotel room to get his belt.
He could not.
Traffic at his exit off the Interstate was backed up for miles.
Over 10,000 people showed up for a job fair.
So he went downtown and bought a new belt,
because for now at least, he has a job
and can afford to buy a new belt when he needs it.
In the photo in the morning paper the job hunters stood in winding lines
between saw horses
Resumes in hand, dressed in ties and blazers and pants with belts.