Reason to Get Up in the Morning

All this chatter about
each morning a fresh start,
new day full of surprises and
unknown promise, a return
to life from sleep like death,
all turns me a little sour.
Maybe some truth in it like
‘‘full of surprises’’ rings a bell
(mostly unpleasant like interest
due or taxes or discovery the roof
leaks). It all seems so routine,
the alarm clock shrills, you yawn,
wish for forty winks more, decide
against it, dress, wash, shave,
brush your teeth, find a clean shirt,
take a gander at the headlines,
eat the same cereal that tastes
like sawdust, hope three cups
of coffee will get you in gear.
It’s a pattern of repeating repetition.
True, the weather changes, thank god,
any variety is welcome. Well maybe
the car won’t start or the stupid
garage door won’t open—not the variety
I’d choose. But at least I don’t ask
myself what’s it all for. The work
is there to be done and if I didn’t do it
I wouldn’t have anything to do.