Working For the Man

Spitting up a spittoon of black spat
is symbolic from a hard day at the mine

sulphur gas fumes and 3000 F
copper adding flavour to
the menu---northern Quebec 1962

hitching up jeans swinging a
water spray and lifting expansion blocks
allows the pour of molten product
into a mould creating anodes of
hard metal--- easy
for transporting to markets.

A hot shower after work
cleaning off substance
then time for cold beers with friends
before the night
turns to morning’s 8am shift.

© Richard L. Provencher