Though I am But a Janitor
Though I am but a Janitor
Roger White
A dim yellow light filters the tiny room with shadow and pale glow.
In a bucket - trickle, splash, whirl, woosh, trickle.
The door groans and quietly latches. Wheels squeak, rubber soles shuffle slowly on tile floor.
A little lost, a little lonely, yet content in his solitude, the janitor leads on into another night.
A sigh passes from his chest, his lips curl into a smile. Through his ear bud, faintly audible,
he hears – And at the end of three, the visiting Cubs lead the Cardinals four to one.
Night is a time to put chaos to rest. And so, the work begins.
Soiled floors regain luster. Grime and dust are wiped away. The back strains to empty bags of
garbage and linen. The stale carpets turn floral in fragrance.
Lunch break, what’s the score? A voice familiar to the city announces - In the middle of the
seventh inning, the Cubs now lead the Cardinals seven to three. Crumbs from a bologna and
cheese sandwich and a bag of chips are scooped off the table and tossed in the waste bin. A
few swigs from a bottle of sweet tea and it’s back to work.
Night is a time for inner happiness. So as he returns to his chores - he remembers.
I could throw a pretty mean slider in my day, better than that rookie hurling for the Cubs.
Man, those were the days, but it didn’t happen. The Army was an adventure - saw some
world, didn’t like a lot of it. The factory was a living, that was all. The little woman and the
kids were my joy in life. She’s gone now and the kids are grown and moved away. I have this
job, my nights, my solitude, no chaos, plenty of happiness, and my Cubs. The night wears on.
The alarm on the phone chimes – shift is over. As he leaves the building, a sigh of relief passes
from his chest. Sunrise will bring the chaos of the day, but he will sleep through it.
Through his ear bud, faintly audible – It was a good night for the Cubs on the road, let’s recap
their nine to three win over the Cardinals earlier tonight. His lips curl into a smile.
And he considers - though I am but janitor, no happier could I be.
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