July 19: Ross Gay, "The Truth," Make It Happen

The Truth

by:  Ross Gay

Because he was 38, because this

was his second job, because

he had two daughters, because his hands

looked like my father's, because at 7

he would walk to the furniture warehouse,

unload trucks 'til 3 AM, because I

was fourteen and training him, because he made

$3.75 an hour, because he had a wife

to look in the face, because

he acted like he respected me,

because he was sick and would not call out

I didn't blink when the water

dropped from his nose

into the onion's perfectly circular

mouth on the Whopper Jr.

I coached him through preparing.

I did not blink.

Tell me this didn't happen.

I dare you.

_________________________

Seems like truth is on my mind a lot today.

I met with my financial planner this afternoon.  Walked into his office and said, "I want to retire in five years.  Make it happen."  He laughed at me.  Truth.

My daughter is on a trip to Missouri with her boyfriend and his family.  I miss her.  Truth.

Tonight, I'm going to read some poetry, tell some stories, eat some chocolate, drink some hard lemonade.  Truth.

When I go to bed tonight, I will kiss my wife goodnight and feel my heart open like a ghost orchid.  Truth.

Saint Marty is jealous of his son's new Bigfoot shirt.  Truth.