Lister Hillanelle
The files are sorted, tabbed, and put away.
I’m going on vacation soon, and so
I shelved another cart of books today.
I told my boss I’d take the cut in pay;
He gave me twelve days off, so I could go.
The files are sorted, tabbed, and put away.
He doesn’t notice what I think or say,
And when I leave, he might not even know.
I shelved another cart of books today;
That makes one-hundred-eight since yesterday,
I tell myself, while straightening a row.
The files are sorted, tabbed, and put away,
And still, somehow, it doesn’t seem okay
For me to leave the place like this, although
I shelved another cart of books today.
Turn off the lights, and all the mess looks grey.
I should have left this place a while ago.
The files are sorted, tabbed, and put away.
I shelved another cart of books today.
© 1998 by Halsted M. Bernard for Lister Hill Library