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Open Poetry #24
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Genesis
| Open Poetry #24 |
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Genesis |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
The 150 ton press Shakes your guts when it strikes Quarter inch steel into a die. Stand close to it long enough And you have an intestinal twisting feel Like last time you stayed out till 4 AM Ate greasy eggs a Lou’s and found It too far to the bathroom by 7 even at home Hired the new guy to run it Because they say he used to work Detroit And some of the large presses there Until his partner got careless losing his head as they loaded it with sheet and he tried to make a last minute reach as the release cycled. I never worked the press room But the guys who did all set together at lunch And other than a passing hello Didn’t say much. I burned a cornea , When hot slag broke and somehow went around The heavy safety glasses to scorch a streak Across the lens and leave me on light work. Light work that week was oiling the presses And cleaning the shavings out of recessed places While the hammer was over your head Supposedly locked by a quarter inch pin One felt like they were inside the jaws Of Jonah’s whale Waiting for the grind of molar to mash bone and flesh into pulpy paste that could be steam cleaned and not clog any drains. Always the cry “Clear” then a low groin grinding shake with the strike rattling inner ear And pulling the wind from lungs As presses next to you cycled side rails I didn’t dream well that night And kept seeing the hammer rise and fall As I was trying to get clear But losing bits of myself Each time because I was too slow Next day I pulled the patch And begged the line boss to let me weld At least there all I had to worry about Was the voltage and getting crushed If the hoists broke. Besides… I found the arcs hiss Reminded me of treacherous snakes And Adam had already paid the price To them. [This message has been edited by Cpat Hair (02-07-2003 06:04 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Fantastic write Ron.. Wonderful imagery... I'm so pleased I caught this one. ~Hugs & Smiles, Nancy~ ~ Trace my body with your words.. |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
Again, you've put us right there. It is great imagery. I enjoyed the ending, as well. Pat  ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
my dad was a welder...I was around him when he'd weld at home, and listened to his stories about his job. He loved it. He worked on lumber mills until he hurt his back in a fall... I remember one time he had his eye crushed, and it still sits back a little farther than his other one, he can still see out of it, he got damn lucky too many times... |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
You do tell tell a good story... I don't think I would want to work in the press room either after reading this. Something about the hammer and the fact that I never could run fast enough! I'll just blame tonight's nightmare on you! Excellant write Cpat sir~ |
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