I’ve gouged my knuckles turning wrenches
carried a casket to a hearse
swam under beaming galaxies
and netted salmon as big as my arms.
I’ve torn down wallpaper
cursed and thrashed in my bed
toasted to renovated nurseries
and kissed my wife’s pregnant belly.
I’ve gone broke
watched friends break and leave
climbed new hills
and waded in rivers more powerful than me.
I’ve battled and bickered
strained over papers and jobs
pried openings to other worlds
and fed lines into their holes.
I proceed
with tense mind and muscles
to unprecedented avenues
and carry all I can in me.
