10 Hours

Ten hours of working daily
Is not easy.
We do not log in
As early as the others,
But we face daunting tasks
That require all our energy
And creativity.

Some days, we finish early
Just in time for dinner
And a pleasant talk
At a nearby fastfood joint
Or a quick stroll at the mall
Connected to the train station
Where we get off.

Some days extend beyond
Our usual 10 hours.
They go on and on and on
Until midnight or way past that.
We sit in front of our computers
Trying to get the work done
In time for the deadlines.

We log in, then log out
After 10 hours or more,
Or earlier if time allows.
But we always end our day
Holding each other’s hands,
Wrapped in each other’s arms,
As we bid each other good night.

-Katherine Lopez
(21 August 2010)