In The Line of Duty

A couple of years ago, I received a work injury.  I did not fall.  I did not pull my back under a heavy load.  I did not attempt some heroic feat.  I irritated a tendon in my knee from getting too many books off of the bottom shelf.  Most of my injuries have not been impressive.  I have had only two sports injuries: I threw my shoulder boxing in a friend’s front yard, and I broke my toe playing Hacky Sack.  I am pretty hardy, and I am not that old.  Still, some days it seems that every item that I need is on the bottom shelf.  I am not complaining; it is part of the job.  The bottom shelf often has some great treasures.  My job may never be as dangerous or as courageous as the police or other emergency responders; but I am proud to brave the dangers of irritated knees, sore wrists and endless paper cuts for my patrons.