They Bill Him Out
.
They named him Bird Dog
in Vietnam; he flew home
with silver rods in his arms
and a purple heart he won’t
talk about to save his life.
.
He started drinking
with a good stout blonde.
Dreamed of owning a hog.
Grew porkchop sideburns,
a garden full of greens
and six kids raised
in a lopsided trailer
on Credence,
macaroni and cheese.
.
Now he works Haz-Mat
Emergency Response.
24/7 he’s ready
with boots and a pager
and a face respirator.
He cleans toxic waste
with a half broke shovel
when the EPA calls his boss.
.
Each grease hot hour
on the side of the road,
in a tank, underground,
in the thick, black air,
they bill him to the client
for a hundred twenty bucks.
They pay him twelve.
.
Boss buys another boat.
Bird Dog goes fishing
on a muddy riverbank
with a cheap six pack
and ten grandkids
til the pager beeps and
they bill him out again.
Julie Buffaloe-Yoder
Oh this is very good indeed. A simple voice that carries such powerful images. Wonderful, Julie.
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Hi, Jo! So nice to see you on this beautiful morning. I was trying for his voice (somewhat), but I wasn’t sure I made it. Appreciate it mucho. -Julie
sometimes it is closer to home than home itself–liked this
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Hi, Scot! Nice to see you, of course. Thanks much. -Julie
This provokes serious thought, being a page from reality, with big font.
It’s a somber consideration, really, how “go serve” calls for one to be a patriot (and if refused somehow meant that one is not so), but, upon his return, the life he resumes is wanting of the gratitude of those who live well and healthy because he has taken a bullet or has shrapnel tattooed on his bone.
As regards the second stanza, free therapy (for life) seems a good idea, for starters. Going back to the urban or rural life, well, there is a transitional phase, one that requires preparation, just like training to go to war.
Hi, S.L. It’s so nice to see you. You’re so right. He’s a real person, of course. A country boy who had a hard scrabble life. A gentle soul.
He was working his way through a community college when they called his number. I get really upset with how a particular company just a few years ago kicked him around like he was a dog. Now he’s older, so they hold his age against him, too.
You’re also right about the transition. He never had any emotional or financial help. He’s amazing, though. The poem doesn’t really do him justice, and I’m sure I’ll be reworking it.
Thanks so much for your insightful comments.
Ha! Me and my strange vernacular. I wouldn’t kick a dog, in case anybody’s wondering.
This is exactly right — how the rich get rich. If hard work made millionaires guys like like this would be swimming in cash.
Nathan, you hit the nail right on the head. Sometimes it feels like the only ones in business who get ahead are crooks and part of the “ole boy network.” I don’t mean to paint all rich folks with the same brush, as I’m sure there are a lot of good ones out there…philanthropists, honest ones, etc. But in this guy’s case, it was definitely reality. Thanks much.
of course you made it…….you *always* do.
Thank you, Jo. You always make my day bright!
You’ve created another character. I thought about his pager, always being on call, how that’s not much different than being in a war. A great political poem, in which you show injustice instead of ranting. Very strong, Julie. (I love the reference to Credence).
Thank you, Christine. I’m glad you mentioned the pager. I also find irony in the fact that he gets beeped when a government agency (EPA) calls his boss. Every word of it is true. Too true. Thanks again for your thoughtful words.
Your portraits are always so touching. I have so many friends I want to read your work. I have a friend who is very sick. I told her to come to your site. I hope she does. Give me a call sometime. I have weekends fairly free. I’ll tell you about her.
Thank you so much, Holly. The nicest feeling in the world is when somebody recommends me to a friend.
I sure will call you…I miss you! I think about you every time I pass the local college. All those papers…shew. Your life must be a whirlwind right now. Talk to you soon.