My Corporation is a Jealous Lover

It wants me with it every moment,
        takes as much time as I will give it;
        and mopes when I am missing.

If I linger over lunch,
        sipping steaming soup, slowly...

Carol, office manager, corporation incarnate,
        will speak sternly.

        Carol cajoles:
                Can't I understand how much the corporation cares?
                Do I deliberately cause distress?

        Carol attempts coercion:
                My behavior is cause for conern.
                If I am not more careful, the coproation
                        will be forced to *let me go*.

Cowardly corporation!

Say the words, admit that it is *you* leaving *me*,
        rather than the other way around.

My corporation is a jealous lover.

Would it not be better to loosen the ties, my darling?

Would you really be so hurt, if I were to come see you at eleven,
        instead of nine?
        I would stay longer, lingering with you.

Even *if* I left early, while with you,
        my thoughts would be entirely of you,
        concentrated, focused on your desires, your needs...
        the short moments are the sweetest.

And what if I *were* to think of another, would that be so wrong?
        If I wondered what it would be like
                to spend a few hours in the hallways of another corporation --
                        if I even acted on my desires, at night perhaps,
                        in the cool dusk, under the moonlight.
        A brief foray into another's documents, articles, spreadsheets...
                would only leave me refreshed, eager to return to you;
                you would look all the better for the contrast.

But no -- you will not trust my judgement,
        demand all of my attention, adoration --
        oh, my dear...how can I tell you this?
                You will never fulfill *all* of my desires.

My corporation is a jealous lover,
        and I fear I cannot stay with it for long...