employee of the month October

she was

employee of the month,

for the month

of October,

last year.  her picture

was on

the wall. framed

above the counter

so that all could see it.

there was a cheerful

smile

on her face, holding

up her

paper reward.

first month

on the job.

she handed me the key to my

room,

and told

me about the continental breakfast

in the morning.

down

the hall.

she was still pleasant

still

in her uniform,

but it had been a long year.

enough

with the other room

is noisy,

we need more towels,

someone

is smoking, could we change

rooms?

she wouldn't

last

very long.

on the next trip the picture

and her

would both

be gone.