Sherry Chandler » Charles M. Whitt
Charles M. Whitt
Beginning
I carried my lunchbox proudly
through the main gate
absorbing sounds and smells
of the twentieth century.
Basic steel—cars, buildings, appliances,
beginning here, before my very eyes.
I’m going to be a millman.
I’ll smelt the red ore,
and roll the yellow, hot ingots
into giant wheels of blue, coiled steel.
I’ll buy a fine house in the suburbs
and my brass company badge will be a symbol
that brings special treatment downtown.
How well I remember that April evening
as I began my working life on midnight turn.
Older men I passed on walks
smiled and spoke to me; nearly every one.
Only now, do I understand
what they were telling me.
— Charles M. Whitt, from Working Steel. Reprinted by permission of the author.
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4 Comments
1. Alan Bender replies at 23rd May 2007, 11:21 am :
Could this be the first person what’s-his-name channeled from Auden’s “The Unknown Citizen?”
Well done, Charles.
2. Charles W. replies at 23rd May 2007, 1:29 pm :
Thank you for your kind comment, Alan. I’m not perfect like Auden’s “Unknown Citizen, but it’s true there are no awards for steel workers, coal miners, truck drivers, etc. They don’t call us in the mayor’s office every year and present placques and certificates to hang on our walls for being “xx of the year, etc. The unknown citizen must find his pride and satisfaction in the doing of his work. And although I don’t know how he learned to do that, I think he does.
3. Charles W. replies at 24th May 2007, 8:09 am :
Thank you, Sherry for posting my poem, “Beginning.” Much appreciated. cw
4. sherry replies at 24th May 2007, 11:27 am :
Oh the privilege is all mine, Charlie. Thank you for letting me use the poem.
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