the front desk

the woman who runs the front desk,
who has control
of the button
as to who comes into the building
or not,
is the queen bee.
if she knows you,
you're in, if not you have
to talk into the little square
speaker and state your case.
making minimum wages
she controls
the ebb and flow of the high rise.
everyone knows her,
stays on her side.
brings her cakes and treats,
butters her up with hellos,
don't you look nice today,
and goodbyes.
she takes the packages from
ups, fedex, the postman
and sets them aside.
she hands out the parking passes.
she knows the weather,
the news. who to call when someone
dies. she knows if
the mailman has come yet.
she keeps the maintenance men
in line.
where the Christmas tree will
stand in the lobby, don't worry
about it,
she'll decide.