Cinderella Lives On

The clock struck nine
Time’s up
And I must rush
My work remains incomplete
Time’s running out

The phone rings repeatedly
A reminder
That I have outstayed
Duties wait
Impatient voices
Continual messages
Insisting departure

To return
To the territory
I belong
My other identity
To clean and dust
Wipe every grime
Prepare for another story
Don another hat
Play another role
Till dust collects
And I begin
From the very beginning
Once more…