the interview...

"And pray tell us why you want to belong?"

I don't per say,
It's just a way
To get by, to get along.

"Then why are we wasting each other’s time,
Particularly on this company's dime?"

You are looking for something I can provide,
As of yet your dime was not negotiated
I am looking for a way to pay bills and abide.
Common ground and time not yet negated.

"Why would I hire one who doesn’t want to such be?"

Who really wants to work for such or any entity?
Would you prefer I only tell you what you want to hear?
I would say most if not all already stroked that ear.

"This is not how the game is played."

I am here to provide a service and get paid.
I'm not here to play a game,
I'm not here to ascend to fame.

"But you haven’t told me why you want to provide it here."

It doesn’t matter where I apply it I fear.
It's just a job, not who I am, is that not clear?

"Then tell me who you think you are,
I think you should go interview elsewhere in a land afar."

I'm an imperfect person in an imperfect place.
I don't want to work there either,
That’s not the point, nor the case.

"I think we are done here."

So you cannot use my talents?

"You are very qualified with an attitude problem
and cannot adhere."

My attitude is in alignment and balance
With the way I lead my life.
Why is that an issue of strife?

"It's a problem for me and I can't have you roam free.
You would work for me."

Yes?

"Then I would have to guess,
I would soon have mess,
Decent among the ranks,
Neither gratitude nor thanks,
For we need commitment and loyalty."

But I'm doing a job you need done,
I don't see the need for that kind of royalty.
If I couldn't do the job, I would be not here but gone.

"We need more than such insubordination,
We need someone to demonstrate,
They can exceed the requirements and not just aggravate."

Is that 'more' included in the compensation?

"Pay is not the primary issue at this level."

Then I chose not to sell my soul to the devil,
To be part of something that should be a crime,
So it would appear we really are wasting each other's time,
And dime.