I’m OK. Sucks to be You.

Gary was the newbie.
Summer student with
The Grounds Crew on campus.
Early spring clean up.
Fallen branches mulched
Brooming the sand accumulations
In the parking areas.
Setting out, securing of
Seasonal furniture.
Replacing severely cracked
Sidewalks, deck areas.
Most of this was stuff in night.


But finally daylight
Delicious sun and
Catching up with the
Lawns cutting.
Gary got a hand held for starters.
Big Miroslav got
The seated, power driven.
Again this year.
He whipped that baby around
Like a child’s stroller.
Francesco took a power
Cultivator to garden spots.
Also power trimmers for
Hedges and bushes.
There were two more students
On the hand held units.
Timmy and Nicolas.
Shitty work ethic.

Full-timers with sparse education
Thought these college boys
Were a big friggin joke.
Poorly covering their assignments.
But not Gary. He had the goods
And the get-go.
Still he got his share of insults.
Men were like that.
Men never ADMITTED VULNERABILITY.
Hardly ever gave out congratulation.

Fifth day on the mowing
A very heavy rain began.
With lightning bolts.
Campus rules said get inside.
Gary had not been advised.
He was in the far outreaches
With a power mower.
Heavy thunder came next.
Miroslav powered on by:
SUCKS TO BE YOU, KID.

Frowning and perplexed
Gary took cover under
A tall tree beside
A large steel lightpost.
Monstrous thunder roar….power flash.

It was the third health and safety
Write-up for the season.
Kid shoulda been told.
Educated kid.
Francesco and Miroslav would exchange
Odd looks for about two weeks.
Gary left the hospital
After a six day observation.
University Hospital, London.
Boasting some scars of experience.