Running on this daily treadmill, filling life’s gloomy story

Falling behind in life’s endless race, without much glory

Working Nine to Five, five long days each week

Stumbling through every month, looking bleak

Forgetting when life last paused for any vacation

Punching in, punching out . . . time clock fixation

Heating up life’s pressure cooker, deadlines loom ahead

Hoping the lid doesn’t blow off, propelled into tiny shreds

Watching everyone trying to row in the same boat

Rowing in separate directions, now barely afloat

Refueling the tank, this coffee break no longer helps

Scurrying on empty, might just as well holler a yelp

Taking the elevator to another miserable meeting

Ending up on the wrong floor, no warm greeting

Driving home each night, worn down to a blown-out frazzle

Stopping at the same red traffic light, it no longer dazzles

Racing every day, life delivering this hour’s final, saving grace

Looking left, then right . . . who’s even winning this rat race?

Originally published September, 2020.