The Cleaning Lady

By: Abe Sierra Jr.

 

We see her in the office every day 

 

Waging war on the invading mice

Standing alone against whole armies of vermin

Earning her stripes by the sweat of her brow 

 

If it weren’t for her

We’d all be buried

Under mounds of mold and dust

 

And she does it all with a smile on her face

Offering her heart to the task at hand

Like an ancient Aztec sacrifice 

  

Yet after all she does

We can’t recall her name?

​​

She lives paycheck-to-paycheck

Yet shares her wealth with us:

Her wisdom

 

And although her clothes have faded

You wouldn't even notice

'Cause she wears that colorful personality

Like a queen's robe​​

​

Her words are woven together

Like a scarf that keep us warm

In this cold corporate climate

​

If it weren't for her

We'd all be buried

Under pyramids

Of coffee-stained paper cups and bagel crumbs

​

Yet after all she does

We can't remember...

​

Damn, what a shame

We let a job description replace her name

​

 

Long Live The Cleaning Lady...

 

...No

 

Long Live Ana Maria!