Gratitude

Jimmy Buffett was playing on the tape deck
‘A woman Going Crazy On Caroline Street’
promising to show her place
to someone who’ll be gentle
someone who’ll be sweet.
In the song the woman was a dancer
the woman introducing herself
Jules ….. Julia
was an HEO
Heavy Equipment Operator
cats
D8.

She worked for PW
Public Works
electricity, water, heat, transportation – umbilicals
work meant they couldn’t always make mealtimes, on time
early morning callouts
often meant a late breakfast
and no raisin toast
could I deliver some loaves – for the freezer.

Hut 5
home to Public Works
PW types burly, bearded, beer gutted, scowling.
OFF LIMITS.

I pushed open the door
12 sets of eyes incinerate
bringing to mind the Coliseum and Deliverance
“is Jules in?”
As slowly as molasses
a hirsuite form opens the door to the hallway of rooms
“Juuuuuuuullles” – a chainsaw revving to crescendo
“some cocksucker here to see you.”
I dropped the loaves and fled.

For the back story click Backstage