The Graveyard Shift

He lounges behind a desk in a late night vacant foyer
Answering calls, making log entries, and filing papers
The dark hours slowly leaking from his tenuous life

The phone rings and he repeats the same weary greeting
He issues information to faceless enquirers
Hanging up, sipping his coffee, he makes notations

Outside, the empty parking lot is speckled with light
Emanating from lonesome uniformly spaced poles 
Illuminating the white lines of vacant parking 

The sound of rushing steam, clanging metal, and cold rain drops 
Echo upon the plate glass windowed empty cocoon
That bares the reflection of his tired, lost in thought face

Anticipating the next abandoned grave yard shift

© Copyrights G. Jones 2008
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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A  Avatar
July 10, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Gary, nicely penned. Enjoyed reading your thoughts and words today. always **SKAT**
Lamoureux Avatar
March 6, 2014 at 9:32 AM
This felt very real. Outstanding piece of writing. Rating it a 7.
Jordan Avatar
March 8, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Gary - I just want to say congratulations on having your poetry featured this last week – God Bless, MJ
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
March 3, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Tough job but someone's gotta do it. Congrats Gary on "The Graveyard Shift" being featured. Vince
Mason Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Reads like the beginning of a novel ... a murder mystery ... LOL ... great write here Gary and a well-deserved selection to be a feature here at the Soup this week. Congratulations!
Brown Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Gary, Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week. Love, Carol
Winter Avatar
March 2, 2009 at 5:46 AM
Hey Gary. Long time no see. Congrats on this awesome write being featured this week. Love, Shar
Tye Avatar
January 16, 2009 at 6:53 AM
The long, dark, lonely night shift. The imagery put me right there. Wonderful write :) Cheers, Alana
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
November 28, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Sure as hell puts night shift into perspective. Amazing write. Vince
Higgins Avatar
November 28, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Love this poem that reads like a short story. Love the imagery and the mystery that dances through this write. Wonderful job!
Winter Avatar
November 28, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Creepy imagery. Reminds of me of an awesome movie called Night Shift (i think) with Ewan McGregor, Patricia Arquette and Nick Nolte. But if this is your job, you might not want to watch it. Pretty scary. Great write. Love, Shar
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