an essential service

On the morning of the third day

Worrying about our house going up in flames

Unable to get through on a holiday weekend 

I called yet another electrician's number 

Emilio called back and came right away

Speaking in a voice I instantly liked hearing 

Paired with Dave his helper ready to take care of us

Replacing the main suspect components

Not a simple problem to diagnose and fix

With unexpected scary weird symptoms

But these two determined what needed to be done 

Puzzling it out while answering my questions

Eight years since Emilio started as a helper 

Four years since he got his electrician license 

And four years these two have been amiable work partners 

As I take in the respect and affection between them 

Emilio lifts the neck of his tee shirt up to his nose

To wipe off drips of sweat as best as he can

Standing at the top of the ladder handling live wires

While I watch admiring him and his skills

Replacing the box by the meter was not enough

The entire breaker panel gets replaced too

Leaving us without power for seven hours

While they worked in the heat of a July day

I brought them water and thanked them

Seeing their clothes smeared with grime

Working on a day most people had off

Giving me a break not charging extra 

Now they are gone I miss their camaraderie

Such handsome young men with winning smiles

Who provide an essential service cheerfully

Happy to make an honest living 

I wish I had asked them if I could take their picture

For me but also to give to them to keep 

For the day when they are my age and look back

Proud of the work that they did

 

Backyard Deck July 4, 2023

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Mary Patrick Green Acres July 4, 2023

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giving back

George found the link I put on the website

Sending a message to ask to help

With whatever needs to be done taking care 

Of the place he has enjoyed for many years 

Wanting to give back now he is able

To provide for those who walk these paths

To find respite in a nature preserve

Where regular trail maintenance is needed

An offer welcomed in responses by Gaby and Jim

And Jim soon paired him up with Bruce

Who mows and mulches by the mile

Happy to have George trim the phragmites

There are many more people who tend to this place

Volunteers including Neil who I see often 

Practicing a form of community gardening

Each contributing what they can

Like the woman I spoke to who comes every day 

Bringing a watering can to the butterfly garden

Nurturing the flowers as her personal project

Nameless because I did not ask her 

And Fred who has planted so much over the years

Seeking no recognition for his labor of love

Quietly going about his self-assigned tasks

As does everyone who keeps this place up

If I see some litter a thoughtless person dropped

And it won't fit in my pocket or is too filthy 

I wish I had brought a small trash bag along

But the next time I pass it is always gone 

And then I thank the unseen picker-uppers

Who do what they do as a sign of respect

For this place that belongs to all of us who cherish

The wildlife habitat sanctuary protected here