Stonecoast Review
The Literary Journal of the Stonecoast MFA
Like A Song
By Michael Lauchlan
We were shingling in the drizzle
of another century—I guess
we needed the money—and Mel
called out. He was sliding
toward the eaves on the far side
until Jerry rose and stretched down
from the peak to pull him back
into life. In the time since
I’ve made that dying sound,
more than once and even died
a little, face to face with someone
who could fire my sorry ass
and picturing going home after.
I can feel Jerry settling back
on the plank, both of us
fishing nails from pouches,
the sound of hammers and talk
like a clattering song of thanks.
Michael Lauchlan has contributed to many publications, including Citron Review, New England Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, the North American Review, Valparaiso Poetry Review, Rappahannock Review, Louisville Review, Poet Lore, Cumberland River Review, and Bellingham Review. Lauchlan’s recent collection is Trumbull Ave. from WSU Press. Another collection is forthcoming from Salmon Poetry.
This poem originally appeared in Stonecoast Review Issue 20.
Photo by Luke Southern
