" Jim Foucher "
into a crisp chalk line
snap
we lined up shingles
pulled the 26 ounce hammers
rapped liked woodpeckers
on a roof
rapatattattarappatta
three bundles on my shoulder
up the damn ladder...
Cliff yelling down
"You goddamn schoolboy...
is that all you can carry!"
Nam brought him up here
Paul wanted him here
it was all about respect.
i forget which hill it was
but they had a need to be together
i knew he saved as many as he could
shouting from the top of a four storied ladder
"you slowing down, schoolboy!"
the old sargent handed me a Budwieser
at the end of the day
i thought i saw him smile
© 2004 Michael Julius Sottak
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