the box lifter

in his eyes
you see beyond
the work
the sweat, the grime
of day on his
collar. you
see his wife.
his bills, his children.
you see him
lift each box
onto the truck.
another, then
another. there is no
end to the boxes.
even when he
sleeps,
they still come.
they will be
waiting for him
in the morning, but
what other way
is there.
this is the life
that has chosen
him.