February 2007 Archives

O wiper of windows and wringer of mops,
wheeler of carts and emptier of trash,
you invisible fixer and cleaner--
    Our vomit crusts the sinks!

O proud wearer of the jumpsuit,
with sweat-grayed undershirt beneath,
unabashed shuffler of all-black sneakers--
    Our stale ramen remnants line trash bags!

O bleacher of porcelain and plastic,
scrubber of innumerable surfaces,
king of the industrial cleaning product--
    Our traffic gums the floor with grime!

O unintelligible grumbler of complaints,
hooded downcast eyes brim-full
with righteous resentment--
    Our shower-hair clumps like soggy tumbleweed!

O disconcerting bearer of mystery,
face gouged deep with lines
and folds forged from joy and woe--
    Our young ears remain clogged
        against the wisdom of countless years
            and dirty toilets.

Bent low beneath the ache of day-long toil,
Your faithful hoe becomes a steadfast crutch,
Your woe-creased brow smeared brown with fresh turned soil,
As sepia stains the sky with twilight touch.
In the distance the welcome campfires burn,
Sending heavenward streams of unworldly white,
Oh! how for those placid skies you yearn,
To lay down at last your doubt and take flight.
But still the jealous Earth holds you fast,
Her primal embrace wills you to descend,
Your shoulders slump as the sunset shadows are cast,
Through the rolling hills let darkness wend.
Sure as the seasons, tomorrow the dawn will break
But tonight in Heaven's tranquil hush you'll partake.