portrait of a mower on break

roughened,ash-black skin--tired,toughened,calloused negro skin

     he's in an once-white,wrinkled t-shirt--now,a speckled,off-white.

     sweat stains&splotches of pea-green,

     camouflage,

     the last remains of fresh cut weeds.

     he wears worn-out,stone-washed overalls w/a hole

     where the left front pant's pocket used to be.

     leaned against the white of his brand-new pick-up,

     the contrast is stark.

     w/a chug of water from an 1gallon re-used jug

     &a wipe of his darkened brow w/a dirt-pink rag,

he takes a break from the heat&hard work of mowing.