A Good Crew

We'd grind it out
every day

hauling and setting up barricades
in the 99 degree heat

driving the flatbed carts
like maniacs

sitting on the top of the seat
one hand on the wheel
the other on a smoke
screaming at your woman
on a Bluetooth headset

building stages
for armies of the rich
their morning yoga
their morning Zumba
their morning whatever
not caring
swearing burping farting
19-year-old drunks
ex-brick layers
old sinners
blonde sons of cops
baby faced threatening
to "slap the shit" out of the punk Mexican cleaner
who eye fucked him

and the cleaners didn't do anything
because they knew the production crew
was tougher and meaner
and that Mike was "white boy crazy"

we're a regular UN council of fuck ups

and if you can't take a joke
god help you on this crew

I'm a gray haired Viagra case
Ralph earned the nick-name "Chili Nuts"
after he split the crotch of his pants
on a busy mid-90 degree day
John's "Pockets" cus he's always losing everything

everyone is something
and it's not pretty

but after work we drink
and look at the Chicago skyline
the park empty
knowing it'll all start again tomorrow
and thank god
we're not at a desk
or behind a counter

the beer cheap

and delicious

and the city glowing

careless
in the dumb humid night

like a peacock

with bums passed out
at its feet

© 2011 Lee Kitzis