Shine of Overdraft

Alarm goes off,  
calls you out of slumber.  
Open the window shades,  
feel the morning's warmth.

Breakfast done.  
Coffee with newspaper—  
massive layoffs, AI replacing humans: 
unimportant quibbles.

Can't afford distractions.  
Need to keep your head down  
and work.  
Mortgage payment coming up.  
Your life is shiny—  
the shine of overdraft.

Nine o'clock.  
Teams meeting.  
Boss joins, mutes everyone.  
Just three words:  
“No longer required.”