Pray for the Big Rigs

Crossing the continent
again and again
driving the dark
often safe in the cradle,
I'd come to love you
long before I knew you
who are so careful of our
crazy skins
who refrain minute by minute
from destroying those
among us who beg for death

That is your brightness
and blessing:
to take and carry
in your actual fiber, blood
the pain of others' unperfection
(no -- not something you'd ever claim)

My hands work the stone muscles of your broad back,
shoulders, thighs, calves, finding knots and ropes
and life everywhere, releasing joy
The wish: to return you
to yourself, whole and ready

And thank you
again


.