Truckness
Brian Beatty

Every barn at this point
is another metaphor
with a roof and a door
straining against its last hinge.

As for the neighboring geography
whatever's handy belongs
to the surrounding
landscape --

including that old farmer
bent to the truck tire flat
in front of the only world
he's ever known.

Should he still
have a wife I imagine her
a remorseful porch song he plays
on the banjo after

his dog's obscenities
have frightened off the sun.

1996 © 2012