A Normal Day's Work

like a sunrise at dawn,
the screen’s harsh white glow
ends the night and begins
my day thus so:

turn on the router;
make them some coffee;
turn on the printers;
that’s just the start for me.

forward a message
from an answered phone call;
help out a student—
but wait! that’s not all!

update their files,
every last one;
teach lots of classes—
fun, fun, fun, fun!

sneak in some lunch—
finally time alone.
make a quick phone—
gotta check in at home.

lunch hour’s over—
it’s back to the lab.
a co-worker stops by
wanting to gab.

more questions, more answers,
more work to be done.
look out the window just in time
to see the setting sun.

finally time to go home.
i race to the door,
knowing as i do that the sun
will bring this once more.