Gun...Son of a Gun

(Photo of Richard Russo.)

The phone rings and you awake...........I'm going to be late to class

for f---ing sake.

Another order, another sale?................I have a test, am I going to fail?

You drink your juice then start
the brown beast up ...............................A last review of my notes as

I fill my coffee cup.

Off to the road in the beast
headed west..............................................Over the hill I run in the cold,

to my test.

Pulling up to the store hoping
the money's all there..............................I studied so hard, I hope this

test is fair.

He decides not to buy so you
push a little harder.
Again, his refusal so you
decide to barter.....................................The test seems so unclear, a cold

sweat comes over me.
I decide to take questions one by one,
working diligently.

He agrees to your suggestions
and you trade him for something
better.....................................................Thoughts are now flowing clearly

and I'm writing as I would a letter.

Through your persistence and
aggression, the sale is a success............By the bestowal you've given me,

I kick ass on the test.

You finally finish your long
day and begin to head home................Dad, I wrote this poem so you

won't feel you're working alone.

-poem by Nicholas Russo (written during college days)