Off side of road
Tire was flat
Lifted load
With my crank jack
Lugs won’t turn
Stubborn, rusty
Old hands burn
Road wind dusty
Stringy beard
Banded straw hat
He looked weird
Defeated, I sat
Can I help
Fix that flat?
“Yes,” I yelp
He’s up to bat
Kicks the wrench
Hear lugs squeal
They moved a pinch
Off pops the wheel.
Thanks to him
I drive home
Ben, Josh, Jim
A hero unknown
-JOE COBB CRAWFORD
From: SIT A SPELL: An Anthology