Industry. Merrimack River.
Red brick factories. Wallpaper sweat.
Stained hats. Greasy fingers.
Oiled boots. Gloves soaked in time.
Mixed aromas. Twelve hour shifts.
Five minute breaks. Bag lunches.
Overalls with snaps. Tattoos with
faces. Eyes glasses smeared. Black
acne spots. Machines crunching.
Narrow walkways. Wooden floors.
Noise upon noise. Laboring fans.
Glass transoms. Metal chips. Monster
lathes. Dim lighting. Open doors.
Fathers and sons. Window patina.
Soured bathrooms. Lever and handles.
Pulleys and winches. Injuries without
recovery. Familiar faces. Lost dreams.
Today looks like tomorrow.
Roger Singer 