Sump Pump Man

He watches,
Avoids the plumbing that
Surrounds the pump
And climbs down into the brackish water.

It is quiet in the holding concrete enclosure.
He has climbed into a 1,000 tanks
Found the cause and effected a cure.
He takes much pride in his work.

I’ve been doing this too long, Al thought,
Lowering himself, carefully, into the sump pump pit.
Been to this house maybe 15 times.
Now the kid gets to look at my work.

Tonight he has brought his grandson, Jayden.
Al has temporary custody while
Cindy, his daughter, works out her problems,
2000 miles away.

Jayden is a big 6 year old,
Shows none of Al’s asian blood.
He’s interested in what his grandpa is doing
And where staircases in our house lead.

When finished all is clean and neat.
No small accomplishment when dealing with refuse.
Al never leaves a bill,
But one will come in a week.