Intake
Concrete building, no flags, no hero posters
Just disinfectant, old coffee in a parking lot
Full of people who'd rather be anywhere else
Two in line, paperwork clutched, feet shifting like the ground burns
This is happening, a quiet nod, a beard questioned
Answered by silence
Inside folding tables, tired stacks, stamps hitting paper
Like tiny verdicts, a gravel voice: "Names?"
Stamp, stamp, follow the yellow line, don't faint
To swallow, "people faint?"
"Son, everywhere!"
Buzzing lights, buzzing nerves
Welcome to the start of something you didn't quite choose
Long haul clippers humming, hair falling like soft rain
Head pushed forward, no choices, no questions, a yelp
Sensitive scalp
Ignored, a mirror showing a peeled potato with feelings
A shrug from the next chair, we match now
Almost a smile
Cold barracks, detergent, nervous sweat, metal beds
Older than the century, a mattress thinner than patience
Springs tested
At least it's a bed
A ceiling stared at, think we'll get used to it
A pause, pretty crappy barbers, fair enough
Mess hall noise everywhere, trays clattering, boots stomping
Food smelling like flavor was a crime
A poke with a fork, protein, protein what?
A shrug, just protein
A bite, tastes like regret, another bite
Regret, but salt
Last week, digging up trash
This week, eating mystery protein
Under fluorescent judgment, life comes fast
Too fast
Around them, quiet talkers, blank stares
One dies asleep, face down in his tray
A look exchanged, a tired smile
At least we're in it together
A fork raised to survival, this acclaim
One disaster at a time
Buzzing lights, buzzing nerves
And do people try to laugh?
They're waiting to whatever comes next
