Water Man
He stops the Sparkletts truck near a palm tree
That looks like a pineapple and steps down—
His lemon-lime uniform glows, the tanned face
Whitens a smile, matching the look on the woman
In her yard, red shirt tucked into silver gym shorts.
She’s been painting. The water man walks to the side
Of the truck and lifts out a large, clear plastic jug—
In one motion swings it onto his shoulder and turns.
The truck is filled with vessels, each with a sky-blue
Plastic seal. The back panel of the truck, all green and
Yellow fish scales, shimmers, shimmers, shimmers.
—Paul Marion (c) 2018