by Ron Roberts

A HUNDRED PLUS MEN DESCEND
DOWN THE IRON RAILS THEY SLIDE
SKIMMING THE SCUFFED HARD SOLES DO FLY
AS THE CALLOUSED GRIP OF HARD LABOR
BRAKE THE LEATHER ON THE TIME SMOOTHED RAILS
THE HUNDRED PLUS MEN DESCEND
LANDRIES AND LEATHERS OF WELDERS
THE HARNESSES AND SPUDS OF CONNECTORS
HOUNDS THE BARK AND GROWL OF THE PUSHERS
RATTLING THE CHOKES AND SHACKLES OF RIGGERS
AS A HUNDRED PLUS MEN DESCEND
CLAD IN ARMOR OF LEATHER DENIM AND DUCK
THE SOULS OF ORGANIZED LABOR
THIS GRIT OF SWIMMING IN SOOT AND ASH
THAT FORGES ANY BOILERMAKER WORTH BRASS
AS THE LAST OF THE HUNDRED PLUS MEN DESCEND