the night shift

i understand

the day shift, the night

shift.

the blue

collar job,

the white collar

position

in a cubicle from

nine to five.

i understand dirt

and grime,

paint

and sewage,

low wages and long

hours.

i know

what blood is,

what

cuts are, what sore

knees

feel like

at the end of a day.

i wouldn't trade

any of it

for more money,

savoring the lessons

i've learned.

the mistakes

i've made.