
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