Morning Call

Winters the work didn’t slow

but the diesel congealed

like blood in the engine

the ambulance starting slow

with the rough but commanding

run run run

and we would really try

two dead-tired medics

behind the firewall

breath still puffing

little ghosts with fingers

fumbling on the laminated maps

years before GPS

and in our time

between calls we would drive

around the neighborhoods

quizzing each other on the road

names or times or distances or

spots to stop and take a leak

if we were slammed

with no relief in sight

which restaurants

gave a discount in uniform

where we had our first

this or that, some full code

or some kid

and their parents

still in the neighborhood

and what time of day

we’d drive by and see them

sitting in their yard staring

with eyes like busted out windows.