Author - Megan Richard

My lineman went to school at about 19.

He knew what he wanted Electricity was his dream.

 He graduated from pole climbing, but started as a grunt man,

Always asked questions, learning as much as he can.

“Safety first” is what he said.

“Don’t do something hot, you would question doing dead.”

Lots of time and training later his electrical rating is first class.

He’s been traveling for years now, mostly works in Mass.

I wash his smelly creosol clothes, and pack his bag for the umpteenth time,

It’s the end of the weekend, and his hearts no longer mine.

He calls from the hotel nightly, too tired to say a lot,

He still has to eat and shower, tomorrow they’ll stick it hot.

He patiently teaches his ground men, and lets me in on their silly jokes and pranks.

He tells me today their connecting Single-Phase Transformers into Three-Phase Banks.

He sleeps on top of the blankets in the hotels where he stays,

And proclaims he’ll be a lineman till the end of his days.

When the wind begins to howl I can see the excitement in his eyes, I start to pout.

He says “pack my bag mama, there’s power going out!”

When on a long drive he shows me lines and I look,

There’s a pride he emits from his helmet to his hooks.

He uses technical terms, and gets so deep in explaining,

I never really get it, but must admit to feigning.

I stay at home with our son-he works so hard to make our life good,

And I’m proud to be at his beckon call like a good lineman’s girl should.

His thighs are rock hard, and skin soft from perspire.

His arms resemble Hercules from lifting all that wire.

One time I asked him to do dishes….”when you can climb a  pole” he retorted,

I strapped on his hooks backwards, and got four feet up ( ESCORTED.)

He has carpel tunnel, a sunburned face, chapped legs, and sore feet,

He works like a machine even in ungodly heat.

He risks his life daily for this job he loves most,

The hair raising hum of this dangerous ghost.

Home again safely I lay out his p.j.’s, and spray Lysol in his boots,

And would like to slap the girl in the office that says he makes too much loot.

I am proud to tell others “he’s a lineman” I exclaim.

Then I get to explain his success in what lies behind that name!