by William Aarnes
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| AI graphic by NightCafe for The New Verse News |
Want a Job in the Trump Administration? Be Prepared for the Loyalty Test. —The New York Times, December 7, 2024
The dinner was ample, pretty good,
the service obviously obsequious.
I had the third-best seat in the room,
at his table, just to his left, Musk on his right,
Melania nowhere in sight. He kept telling me
I was ideal for the office he had in mind.
I kept saying I’d do whatever he’d want.
How often did I repeat, “Just say the word”?
I heard myself echoing, “Got to innovate... got to disrupt...
got to get the government out of everybody’s way.”
Kind of glad I told that joke about my wife.
He didn’t laugh but showed his teeth.
I was all deference, nodding my head,
mumbling, “It would be an honor,”
as he listed the scores I’d help him settle,
all the haters I’d help him put in jail.
He was pleased with himself, telling me again
I was the top guy for getting the government
out of everybody’s way. Before turning back to Musk,
he said he was sure that I’d enjoy dessert.
William Aarnes lives in Manhattan.