Nine to Nothing

Poem by: Vivek Mavi

As I enter the office,
a loud, strange click pierces the corridor,
it is the biometrics.

White lights overhead,
exhausting, tasteless, much like Maurizio’s Comedian, a dull bore.
The air, heavy with the musk of old carpet, an aged lore.

Bickering and the footsteps of strangers, or colleagues, settling in.
Air turns to aroma, a mood’s soft spin.
A slender young boy with a gentle gleam,
opens the doors of the cafeteria, brewing coffee within.

The coffee machine’s mechanical whine,
a constant reminder of the endless tasks ahead,
echoing inside my head.

Uneasy in my chair,
Mind racing with the anxieties the day will wear.
The race takes a dramatic turn,
TOOL performing in my ears, a cathartic burn.

Footsteps coming to an end,
your latte, with no sugar,
thanks, my friend.
You’re welcome, Sir,
the day’s soft bend.

About the work:

I wanted to write a poem that feels both stark and unsettling, reflecting the emotional realities of modern work. It touches on how something as simple as a cup of coffee can shift your entire day, and what it’s like to live a corporate life, where routine can easily become monotonous. While I may have prioritised emotional impact over the right technical form used in poems, this genuinely expresses my feelings.

It captures the atmosphere of a contemporary office, as well as emotions and sensory experiences within. Through vivid imagery, stark contrasts, and symbolic moments, I tried writing a relatable and thought-provoking experience.

Contextual Notes:

The poem references “Tool,” an American rock band, and “Comedian,” a 2019 artwork by Maurizio Cattelan. These are integral to the poem’s thematic exploration.

Posted by: Vivek Mavi

About Me: Born and raised in Ghaziabad, so close to Delhi, yet I’ve always felt like a small-town resident. It’s a part of me that keeps me grounded. Enough about that. I studied journalism at Maharaja Agrasen College, Delhi University, and spent two years working in street theatre. After that, I joined the never-ending cycle of the corporate rat race. I write poems and reflect on life from my 3×3 office cubicle. I am a dedicated human rights activist and also the table tennis champion in my neighborhood.

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