No Free Lunch Today

No Free Lunch Today

I dump cold cola from the can
round, a barrel sweet of thirst quenching fun
down my throat deeply, in one-half can draught
exploding on my tounge, it passes
sparkling, dancing a sweet cola splash
and thirst no more.

I slam the can to the table
Summoned I must get back to work
another truck to be checked
they cannot wait for lunch to linger.
"I'll be backI" I call out
The waitress nods her head and goes about her business.
It happens all the time.

Lunch or not work must be done
the driver will not wait
So I fill out the forms and he rolls out
and I rush back for my cold dinner.

Those left at lunch are the stragglers
Taking what they can and giving little
they dance at the edge of keeping their jobs
just two guys I've ridden hard
Lazy guys with cruel jokes to play
who will not work an honest day
and look for oportunities to say
"we are better than you."

I grab my cola and slam a gulp
and spit and spew I cannot chew
a cigarette butt with ashes drowned in that sweet taste
in haste I nearly retch
and react with disgust at their laughter
until I get my stomach in control and turn
"Get back to work" I burn them with my eyes
But laughing lazily they stroll out sneering.
So too myself I say,
"They will pay. By God, they will pay."

35 LInes