Pink Slip by Michael L. Pittman
long about 5:30,,
the whole thang
jus’ took a shit…
i felt the final curtain
a commin’ down
-took ta spinin’
i had to sit…
set there fer
a good hour,
head a tucked
deep,,
bu’tween my knees.
mama wadn na kiddin’
when she said
they’d be days like these…
i snapped a
ten weight
line a spittle
from the corner a my lip.
grabbed a half
drunk up bud wizer
can,, like ta crush
under my grip..
tipped ‘er back
and took a swag
warm as piss-
it hit my throat.
i swallered hard,
finished her off,
and snatched up
the remote..
i mashed down
on the pow’r button
pinched off a chaw,
an took ta chewin’
flipped on past
the nightly news,,
don’t much care
what this country’s doin’….
when a man
can’t feed his chi’dren,
can’t keep a roof
over his wife.
when they come to take
your home-
the one damn thang
you worked fer all your life..
when you have ta hide
yer truck at night,
as they’s a wanting
that back too..
when yer kids is sick,
but the doc’s moved on,
can’t afford
to treat the likes a you..
you can’t pay
too much nevermind
to the fallin’
a ol’ wall street
when they done handed
you your pink slip-
and you ain’t sure
how yer kids is gone eat….
October 10th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
WooHoo! You nailed this one! The financial skewering is making me a little crazy. When I try to smell the roses, they turn to dust…jeez.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I may not totally understand all the expressions, but the whole intent is certainly easy to follow! We are certainly jostling troubled, unpredictable times right now! It is quite scarey! Beautifully written!
October 10th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
This was an amazing piece Jodi! Brava for capturing the average joe. XXOO
October 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
EXCELLENT! You’ve written the mood and the sentiment of many a work-a-day man and of course single mother.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Right on Sista…Wall Street, Wall Street, Wall Street…who cares about the lifestyle of the rich and famous…the saga is about the little man and woman…you know, the ones that clean your toilets and delivers your fries…it has never been about the little people, keep them struggling and stupid and life roles on for the rich.
October 11th, 2008 at 8:11 am
You’ve got this one right…right on the nose. I like the “folksy” language, too. Great job!
October 11th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Another Paisley at her best. Telling it like it is when the going is all down and no up. If we have another recession like the 1930’s, we just might wish we were back in the 1930’s. There was a sense of honor among most “everyday” people that does not exist today. No one ever had to look for the keys to the car because the owner always knew where they were. . . in the car’s ignition. The skeleton key that locked the front door was probably purchased at the nearest hardware store and guaranteed to fit just about every front door in town. You get the picture.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
The sounds of this are wonderful, fabulous rhythm.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I love it when you use this very colloquial style. It’s a sad story these days. Many people will be able to relate to this. Hope you’re doing okay in all the mess.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Wonderfully written, Jodi. So well captures the essence of this experience. You are so gifted writing in dialect. Truly. Hey, have you ever read “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, by Zora Neale Hurston? Its one of my favorite books. Its written in dialect that reminds me of how you write sometimes. I think you’d like it.
October 12th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Too, too true…scary times.
October 12th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
j, you need to write lyrics for a living. This is a song I can hear with a bajo or a guitar to accompany it. You really tap into the times here, and have created a character.
BTW, I’m switching to a new blog.
My new address is http://www.balancedontheedge.org
christine
October 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Oh My Goodness. This was Fabulous. I love when you write in this sort of prose.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:55 am
I love this raw style! An absolute gem.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Well said.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I know that’s right!