Jobs

by Tom Hatch

I worked at a welding shop
Grinding fresh welds smooth
With sparks of excitement
Which got old, carried blue
Canisters of kerosene to the
Heaters dispersed around the shop
Spilled some on my overalls worked
The rest of the day dodging sparks
That would have set me ablaze

My older brother shoveled loafs
Of bread out the oven at the bakery
Off of I-35 passing by the heavenly
Smell in the outside air
He opened a fresh hot rye
Inhaled almost died of its
Hidden toxic gas learning to let it cool

The younger brother worked at a
Candy factory known for its chocolates
He was told eat as much as you want
He was in heaven stuffing his face
Mumbling to himself the greatness of
This job at the end of the day he puked
In the parking lot next to his car
The next all he did was work

My sister the youngest of four
Baby sat the brats down the street
Or was it up the street battling the kids
Hiding in and around at bedtime
Verbally abused by the brats until
They feel asleep a knock at the door
The boy next door wanted to set at her feet
And howl begging for some action
Until the parents came home he ran