you’re down the gym doing reps
when this guy – hey, man, I’m Brad –
sticks out a paw, starts conversation,
teams up for your bench press, offers
encouragement, adaptations to technique,
incremental changes to make things better
life’s all about improvement, Brad says
over a beer in the bar down the block
where you talk football, girls, and muscle
cars, watch the padded bulk of linebackers
on the screen with awe and envy
as you tick down your hours of freedom
to another shift where Jorge will shout
at you over nothing, because he can
where neither you nor your pay cheque
are anywhere near acceptable
warehouse? Brad shakes his head, orders
two each, ice-cold, wraps one in his fist
drains it, belches, rolls his neck
brother, you’re better than that
and this is a gift, a revelation
which you ponder over and again
as you press 240 for the first time,
as Brad claps his hand on your shoulder
grins, shouts way to go, bro! way to go!
next weekend he pulls up at yours
with his tools, sorts the transmission
on your truck you meant to fix last summer
but didn’t, and you sit on the porch steps
all grease and sweat and satisfaction
slugging one cold one after another
in the cool of an autumn afternoon
where, if life isn’t perfect, you can
believe it might yet one day be
Monday, you’re all ears by the free weights
when Brad mentions an opportunity
a chance to double your paycheque
overnight, if you’re interested
lets it hang till you’re showered
and clean and sitting at the bar
enjoying beer and easy conversation
with half an eye on the screen and news
from Chicago, Charlottesville, LA
people like Jorge being dragged into vans
by masked-up goons in unmarked cars
with uniforms and pepper spray and guns
and Brad doesn’t need to say a word
just points a bottle, and yes, you say
yes, you’re in, you want in, want
the power, the paycheque, the thrill,
the brotherhood and the belonging,
a new world where you are free to slam
your rifle butt into Jorge’s chest, see pain
and fear in his eyes, march towards
that pretty wife of his with intent,
believe this is the life you deserve, improving.