I break the night

with my shrill voice

screaming into the darkness

I hold the burden of pain

careless slaps

and gasps of fear

I rule over the day

with my shouts and warnings

and they know that they need me

to keep the schedule

but they resent my purpose

they hate my voice

universally despised

I forge ahead

I do the job

I am meant to do

I do the job

they program me to do

reviled and needed

a cursed object

I wait

for the next alarm

to start another day

on time – Caroline A. Slee