Amen, Brother
He wasn’t happy
about any part of his
job and I’d wager
even his life knee-
deep in snow
cranking away
on two gas
tanks when
he said with
scorn, “Happiness
isn’t everything
it’s cracked up
to be” — amen
brother, but if I
took away your
wrench and
doubled the
snow depth
up to your neck
I promise you
you’ll miss
this little bit
of happiness
Perfume
The girls around the perfume display
giggle & talk like idiots —
what freedom!
Education
He was visiting a
relative at the nursing
home where off to the side
he went to find a drinking
fountain when a little old
woman in a wheelchair
appeared next to him and
said matter-of-factly
“get. me. out. of. here.”
they didn't even know
one another
in those circumstances
they didn't have to
as quickly asked
and an eye-blink of
recognition between them
she was whisked away by someone
leaving him to
grow old and wise
for Kim
Redwing (Steel Toe)
When I bought his boots
At the garage sale
He handed them over
Looking me in the eyes
—————————
Bob Arnold
Heaven Lake
Longhouse 2018
