Poem: Deadline (Tanka)

I.

Brewing a pot of
strong dark Sumatra coffee
it's enough to last
hours in front of a screen:
the last push before it's final.

II

Everything on hold
social media on pause
set 'do not disturb'
the music on my headphones
the office door closed firmly

III.

"Mommy's on deadline"
dealing with the guilt when they
tell me what is right
self discipline is fine when
it's applied to other things.

IV.

But when the job's done
and the final edit's made
life becomes normal
until the one time it isn't
the cycle repeats again.