9 to 5
Isn’t always
9 to 5
Sometimes it’s the night shift
10PM to 3AM
Black coffee and red eyes Sometimes it’s getting up at 5AM
For a two hour trip
Two trains and a bus
It’s funny how they call it
Rush hour
When everything moves so slowly Sometimes it’s three hours here
And five hours there
Whenever you’re lucky enough
To get the call
Meanwhile
You troll eBay and DePop
Trying to sell your prized possessions So you can make rent this month
9 to 5 isn’t always
9 to 5
Sometimes it’s $10 in your tip jar From a gracious old man
Sometimes it’s
A colorful story from a patron Sometimes it’s
Seeing the child you helped raise Take her first steps
Are we making ends meet?
Are we getting enough sleep?
Are we committing a slow suicide?
Is this all there is
To life?
Regardless
We pick ourselves up
Dust ourselves off
And clock in.