Interruptions

These shifts are routine:

common room wipe down,

logs, laundry, shredder.

The routine is tradition, dogma. 

Unquestioned monotony:

the rhythm of the graveyard shift.

Midway through the logs

a youth wanders in,

shoes off and dressed.

Sprawled out on the couch

in the common room.

Not in a bed in his room.

I rolled my eyes,

put down my pen,

and left the office.

The laundry would have to wait.

Interruptions. At this rate

the shredding won't happen till 5.

Hey man--you're not asleep.

I am astute. People skills.

I work in social services.

Having trouble sleeping?

I have degrees in my field.

A highly qualified individual.

Yeah, just thinking

about how to save the world.

Sometimes I love my job.