Standing Tall at the Bottom

meanwhile at the bottom of the ditch
another successful municipal dig
the offending water main
exposed

the skilled operation of the track-hoe
unnoticed
except by those
at the bottom of the ditch

amongst the laborers
conversation turns from
football, beer, and conquests
to footwear

1/4 of the crew swears by Red Wing
another 1/4 would die with their White’s Boots on
the third 1/4 doesn’t give a shit
while the last two 1/4’s prove why
some water mains mysteriously break

the offending water main
repaired
footwear arguments subside
fill the hole
ignore the math
football, beer, and conquests
exposed
one day closer to retirement

***