before the day is done

There was a time I worked with contract workers (hahaha, I am now a contract worker myself) on a wiring project. Most of them are lowly educated, picking up their skills on the job. It was menial work mainly but one thing I learned about them, they never let their hard life get them down. There's always a smile on their faces and a joke waiting to burst out. Perhaps it is easier to pass the day this way?

I have posted this poem before, but it was getting little eyeballs. So yes, I thought I would share it again. :)

photo by dsnake1






before the day is done





as the last rays
of the sun
strain through the rain trees
into the hoist bay
we sit at a makeshift table
in a pow wow
before the day
is done

rolling our cigarettes

it is not easy really
tobacco rolling is an art
the fingers greasy no doubt
it's either that
a big slab of leaves
smuggled in
from indonesia

or beedies

then the click
of lighters
the lazy flare
of a match
the cackle of laughter
crude jokes
crows caw

a puff of smoke
puffs of smoke

stub out ends
in
a dented coke can
choked with butts

or let it burn
to the fingers

dropping ashes
to the concrete
floor

ashes like squashed moths

more crows caw
truly rude jokes
caw caw caw
cough cough
then

they leave
we leave

leaving
unwashed mugs on the tabletop
waiting for moonlight to wash
over them

tonight



05/01/2010
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"come at the end of the shift
we'll go and get pissed"

-- Pink Floyd, Not Now John



Shared on Poetry Pantry #289 at Poets United.

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© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2016