Before The Dawn

Awake at 4 am  
every day whether I need to be  
or not.  
 
My 5 cats roll off the bed  
and trot downstairs  
to await their breakfast.  
 
Must pee first  
then feed them  
scoop the crap and piss balls  
from their litter boxes.  
 
Pack lunch for the day  
have my own breakfast  
wash the dishes  
then shower with 2 of the cats  
in there with me...  
 
(not kidding.... they love water)  
 
On the road by 6 am  
45 minute drive  
arrive at work, 6:45
and bring the laboratory to life  
 
Run system checks  
and quality control  
on all the machines  
in time for the hoarde of patient blood samples  
to start zipping in  
through the pneumatic tube  
8 am, on the dot.  
 
And so it goes  
for the rest of a 10 hour shift.