5:15am

5:15am – snooze, ten more.
Dream of sleep,
uninterrupted,
and the kids who need
help
with assignments.

5:25am – snooze, or
so I thought: hit the wrong
button and fumble
blindly
while I hold on
desperately for that wisp of
dream.
Reset the alarm.
Close my eyes.

5:37am – alarm rings on,
denial reigns, my
partner stirs –
snooze, just ten more.
I’ll get up earlier
tomorrow.
I’ll go down earlier
tonight.

5:48am – sleep.
Not me,
the alarm.
Have to face facts. Find
clothes. Rub eyes.
Sit, hoping it’s all a
dream.
No luck.

6:07am – Flush,
wash hands.
Can hear the water
boiling in the
kitchen.
One… Two… Three…
teaspoons instant
into a tiny cup.
Dash of water,
cold milk,
throw it back.
Grimace.
Pretend I
like it.

6:11am – shoes on,
run upstairs,
kiss L
goodbye, “I love you.
Have a good day.”
She smiles in
response,
with 4 minutes left
for her.
Eternity for
us.

7:07am – pull up
in carpark.
No one else here
but the tradies’ truck
parked in
my spot.
Sunnies on,
take coffee off
the roof. New
barista today.
Tastes like
cigarettes.
Tradies have a smoke
next to the canteen.
“Morning!” to a kid
here early to
study.

8:38am – bell rings.
People rush into the
staffroom. “Morning!”
I say,
as if I’m happy
to be there.
Push headphones further
into my head. Sip
my coffee, some more
instant “borrowed” from
a friend.
He doesn’t know.
One more essay before
the day
starts.

8:40am – bell rings.
4 minute warning.
Wish the others would
shut up.
Can’t blame them.
Keep reading.

8:44am – bell rings.
Finished that one.
Others will wait.

The day is starting.