At 5am the alarm rings out
But it does not wake him up
He’s been staring in the darkness for an hour
There’s a routine battle raging in his brain
Can he do this again today?
He summons up the courage
To rise up from his bed
And shuffles to the shower
Like he’s walking the green mile
No turning back now
He listens to his music on the 20 minute drive
Hoping it will help to clear his head
But his mind is dancing to the beat
To keep time with the rhythms
Of the unforgiving task that awaits him
He’s been doing this for so long
It should be much easier than this
But time has ravaged the landscape
Of his once beautiful vocation
He drives on toward the desert
Safety lights project lonely shadows
Upon the empty parking lot
As he pulls into his customary spot
He shuffles toward the entryway
On the pathway to the gallows that await
But as he walks along the halls
The mood begins to change
Everywhere he looks there are reminders
Of why sailed through the cold darkness
To wash up on these familiar shores
Empty schools possess a special kind of charm
His spirits lift a bit as he inhales
Untapped potential flowing from the ducts
Ghosts of former students whisper encouragement
Today will be a better day
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