Electrician’s Helper

I worked ten hours a day, seven days a week.

I drove an hour each way to work and back.

I made overtime for everything over 40, but

I neglected upkeep on things at home, for not having

time to see to it, and had to pay someone to do it

for me and I got sick, from overwork, or stress,

or working conditions, outside, in the cold, and then inside,

next to a furnace. I learned not to try to save money on

work boots. I judge a man by the shoe leather he walks around in.

I judge a cigar by who smokes it. I got along with my co-workers.

I did not intimidate the bossman. He could whip everybody.

I was not a troublemaker. I wrote in my head at work and typed it up

afterwards when I got home, my work clothes neatly pressed,

my shoes shined, my hair and beard trimmed. I was a

sharp tool for the company.

I had a white stripe in my beard, like a polecat.

They called me Streak. Because I was slow.

Like calling a fat guy Tiny or a short guy Stretch.

Tommy Toilet says, Don’t forget to wipe your ass.