the janitor hauled his supplies
past messy desks and office plants
every night he cleaned the floors
dusted the vents and threw out trash
on this particular night, he had no head phones
so he hummed to himself: a ballad
his hums intertwined with a soft wailing
at first he paid no attention, just harmonizing
but it grew louder until it was a full-fledged scream
continuous and all-encompassing
he cautiously crept towards the restrooms
as he opened the door, it stopped
inside the bathroom, a figure laid on the floor
“are you okay?” the janitor asked
the woman looked up at him
she ducked her head, ashamed
she said, “the work never stops”