gemini

pizza on the patio

When your shift is done
at the Provigo factory
you wash your white boots
facing a white wall
with a hose they have

you get out of the cold air
go to the lockers
take off your white coat
take off your white boots
and forget the smell of cold meat

punch out
8 hours at 9.15$
(with the 1$ night shift bonus)
makes 73.20

you get out of the factory
smell the hot summer night
unlock your bike
and take on the street

no car no one
it's midnight
in the industrial district
of Boisbriand

the factories are closed
as you pass them by
sometimes you see a guy
mopping an empty cafeteria
sometimes you see 2 or 3 people
sitting in an empty cafeteria
drinking a coke or a 7up

they don't look at you
they never do
they look at their pepsi
or coke
but that's o.k.

and you ride your bike
without the hands
and your purple lunch box
floats in the soft air

you're in love
(by the way)

you pedal on the way home
follow the yellow line
in the middle of the street
'cause it's nice

and when you get home
you lock your bike
take the stairs up to your duplex
and you open your patio door:

your two friends are there
they have ordered pizza
cause it's your birthday





you're 16.


chicken wings are in the oven,
the pizza is on its way

but they have no money to pay
(they don't work)