Hats Off.
Fluorescence shuttles across the grey frame of morning
before many are waking to whistle blows
in a wet dawn
as coats tighten and boots hurry toward cracks in some
un-concreted path
or a hole reported in the highway road
trousers are hoisted and semi-fastened for yet another
spate of hours spent work-laden.
Groups of labourers gather, machines at the ready and
measuring gear in disarray men meet furtive
drizzle as it slinks
down faces yet calling one to another they share some
horse-play, laughing like lads
at latest scores in their favourite games
Grappling with weights and heavier hats they of that
work force, the strong-arm brigade,
those who transform
backbones of roads deserve hearty praise,
therefore all credit goes,
to potent load-workers who make worthy the broken
for more ease of travel.
Without sweat of such men towns would wear shrouds,
scrapped cars would be worthless and
those long journeys
even more hellish to take, so hats off in thanks
to the all-weather hat
and jacket road menders who grow more fluorescent
with each passing day.