EARNIE - Crabbin in the Pie

EARNIE

"Me name's Ernie! Ya know
I only got one ear, one eye, no sense
of smell, no taste, no fingertips
on me right hand. One arm's shorter
than the other. me body's all scarred
under the tatts. One kidney's canned,
and I broke this hip; but I'm only 44 ya know?


I diced meself thru three bike smashes.
Lost all memory ov three years, but
the flesh fused and bone knitted!
See this scar sewn down me forehead
this brighter skin between me lashes ?
God! The only reason I', alive and witted
is me brain's too small!


I pranged five ribs rollin the fencin ute.
Took me fingertips off cleanin a sawmill thicknesser;
but me grip's took cute... I doan mind a drudge!
The quack give me the Ok fa 'ealth Benefits!
But I woan take it... I Reckon Dole-Bludgers ransack
this country... all soft-quid and sickness it is!
I tell ya it gives me the shits ta sit still.


I work I do! Landscape supplies. I yard-work with
one eye jussed as good as any pup! So? I've grimed
the dye inta me wavers! Them moulds gunk up
me fingers, but I doan shift fa fate, I'm in business
now! I'll be right by fifty... I crabbin in the pie!
... Aye? D'ya wanna buy some concrete pavers?
...... They look jussed like real slate?

1990 © Wayne David Knoll

A little horror story of feelings I kept to myself when I met this man in an upcountry pub. He was a true-grit mister in the acceptance of the limitions of his reality, but for me his wounds were as honest as his visionlessness. But I liked him for the fighting spirit he showed, and an integrity which eschews sloth and apathy.