Squeeze Tender

Rich Murphy

The security officer

loves to spend time

with the lemonade maker

even after the lemons arrive.

Wonder always attracts.

The uniformed flashlight

carrier works around 

the clock at a job

that costs in years

around the plant.

When the sour (Adam or Eve)

drops from the tree ripe

into hands for care,

cuddling, and then hugging,

a camouflaged memory

maps out the work routine

and the guard ushers 

from first wail until

the sweetened pucker produce

presents to the public.

Having provided 

the last squeeze and hung 

to a rind wedge on a tall 

water glass, the supper hero 

then for the limb-worthy 

extended family aids 

(high five, slap on the back,

an old-fashioned embrace)

by offering vitamin C 

and the last straw.