The Road Guardian

is an agent of officialdom
with red helmet
scuffed work boots, mustard
on the shirt, leather belt
straining.

His hand is a monitor in slower
motion, swivels a dusty
STOP sign, proud
of his job
waited a long time for
this opportunity, besides, he
needed the cash.

Today’s construction
is a hubbub of dust, trucks
noisy Cats, and
a potpourri of impatient
tourists.

And finally, STOP turns GO.

© Richard L. Provencher