never pay ahead of the work

when

the plumber says, i'll be there

by 9 a.m.

today,

don't believe him,

he won't.

yes, he knows you need

water

to bathe in, to drink,

or cook with,

but 

he has a different agenda.

pipes

and wrenches are his

business,

not scheduling, or adhering

to some

clock, or calendar

on the wall.

strangely his phone isn't working

now,

and he's already

been paid.