The cleaners tale

the alarm goes early morning

as the night still embraces

hurries to the underground

with no social spaces

up close and personal

to all the masked faces




has the low grade PPE

with a covering for her hair

busy staff push past her

as if she isn't there

they bump or step on her

and don't seem to care




she disinfects all surfaces

does it by the book

cleans floor and corners

every cranny and nook

they don't care what she's done

just how long it took




there is blood splatter on the walls

vomit on the floor

she wipes it up mops it down

as clean is was before

just another unscheduled task

just another chore




end of day she returns home

public transport willing

takes the time for some admin

a load of form filling

to earn the pennies from the millions

the company is billing




she is back in the ward

this time on a bed

ventilated and turned frequently

handled like she's lead

just a part time cleaner

the doctors note said




the ward is looking shabby

there is a cleaner short

if only they had a little time

or a little thought

cleaners are not essential

is what politicians are taught