In Milwaukee's Industrial Valley

there was always

one guy

who'd live
alone

or with his sister

he'd be at least
as old
as the bosses

but his jokes were never
as quick &

certainly
not as sharp

& there was always
a card game
at lunch

among the bosses &
their pals

who often included
sons of
city councilmen

the one guy
would ask to play

but they'd
say no

or simply
ignore him

MAYBE

if he begged enough

& one of them
had called in sick

they'd deal him
a hand

then chide him
until he'd punch

back in early
& leave
the break room

he'd always
be at his

work station
after we'd eat

but before
we'd go out there

I'd wonder
where he was

as I'd digest my
ham sandwich
& the results

of races
favorites
lost

& longshots
won going away

copyright 2002 Mark Wisniewski