the four truckers talked,
their cb radios cracklin'
with nothing but
bitching and groaning.

traffic on I-81 stalled
to a stop, no creeping inches
when an old man and woman
offered tuna on rye.

gathering 'round the tailgate
of the old couples' pick-up
filled to overflowing
with some personal treasures.

and as the truckers ate,
they asked, where ya' from?
and the old man said Mississippi,
and this is all we got left.

the truckers swallowed tears
along with the tuna
for they ate tuna on rye
with side-orders of reality and humility.

10/03/2005