Thursday, December 22, 2022

the bricklayer's helper

the bricklayer
with a cigarette clenched
between his teeth
and last nights
drink on his breath,
said
show me your hands.
i held them out,
eighteen
and wanting a job.
he felt
the smoothness of them,
turned them over
and laughed.
you won't last a day,
he said.
but come on.
pick up my bag
and follow me.

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