Chaotic Action Man
Bluelighter
they stand watching the hole in the ground,
where a tower will spiral upward
stretching for the sky.
there is no class distinction here.
men in business suits
stand beside multi-coloured Mohawks of squeegee kids.
all gaze transfixed at the construction.
what is it about men and machines?
all the women in the lunch group walk-by
while the lone man glances,
pauses,
becomes transfixed.
he has to be called away;
the light has changed.
the group is already halfway across the intersection.
pointing backwards as he runs to catch-up.
like the little boy in the supermarket with his mother
‘just five more minutes...’
he seems to plead.
what is it about men and machines
that we need to stop and watch.
men who have never lifted a tool to dig,
men who have never built with their hands,
men who want to feel somehow included
in the feat.
feasting with their eyes
on the hive like activity unfolding below.
when the steel and concrete is set and poured.
when the building stretches,
layer upon layer upwards
to obscure sun and sky.
men will continue to gather.
they will peek through cuts
made in plywood walls
allowing them to continue their silent vigil;
pay homage to work being done.
where a tower will spiral upward
stretching for the sky.
there is no class distinction here.
men in business suits
stand beside multi-coloured Mohawks of squeegee kids.
all gaze transfixed at the construction.
what is it about men and machines?
all the women in the lunch group walk-by
while the lone man glances,
pauses,
becomes transfixed.
he has to be called away;
the light has changed.
the group is already halfway across the intersection.
pointing backwards as he runs to catch-up.
like the little boy in the supermarket with his mother
‘just five more minutes...’
he seems to plead.
what is it about men and machines
that we need to stop and watch.
men who have never lifted a tool to dig,
men who have never built with their hands,
men who want to feel somehow included
in the feat.
feasting with their eyes
on the hive like activity unfolding below.
when the steel and concrete is set and poured.
when the building stretches,
layer upon layer upwards
to obscure sun and sky.
men will continue to gather.
they will peek through cuts
made in plywood walls
allowing them to continue their silent vigil;
pay homage to work being done.
