life was not that hard

we longed

for pay day. the second Friday 

of the month.

we waited in line

for our checks,

the workday done.

tools in the truck,

our hands

washed with Lava soap.

then off to the bank we went,

then to the bar

in our work clothes,

our muddy boots,

where we laughed

and flirted with the waitresses.

we had an apartment,

we had cars,

we had had everything

we needed

and sometimes love.

looking back at it,

back then life

was never really that hard

enough

was plenty.