Storm Duty Prophecy

I have seen the ten thousand bucket trucks
mounted in the morning light
a rising sun sizzles the dew on the electric lines

I have seen the ten thousand tractor trailer bedrooms
festival of snoring poppa bears
and farting twinks twisting stinking
swinging in their curtained cocoons

I have seen the steaming slop piles of
fettucine and spaghetti and
mom's rice'n'gravy
and every sugary treat a long day's hungry man
can greedily stuff into his
big beer belly

I have seen the melting ice pallets plundered
minutes after delivery
like invading picnic army ant commandos carrying away
fallen and forgotten sandwich jelly

these once empty county fairgrounds have become an
overnight economy
encircling wooded fortress a forest facade
a sweet pine scent hovers over the encamped
hard hat army

mosquito blisters multiply during bouts
of distracted sleep
biting gnats arrive with the afternoon heat
body sweat is the only blanket I'll need
and dark
dark are my disturbed wet dreams

meanwhile
busted, bruised, broken
power lines litter the surrounding streets

so the same ten thousand bucket trucks I said I'd seen
rumble from summer slumber
a working class war party glowing in reflective neon streaks
mount their noble steeds
hotshot chevaliers in plastic safety helmets
in blanche big-rig tippers
as far as the eye can see

and me
in a little white hatchback
like some poet boy of electricity.

TA
11/24