Alison Cassidy - ! ! Roadworker with Sign

He stood
to stiff and starched attention
slap in the center of the road,

He gripped
his red STOP sign
majestically, like a spear.

He barked
into his walkie talkie
with the all puff and passion
of a sergeant major.

His striped yellow vest sparkled
in the setting sun.
His work boots spat dust
as he paced
back and forth,
peering suspiciously
down the road behind him -
like Maxwell Smart on a mission.

An ambulance
(minus siren)
pulled up at the intersection.
He gave it right of way
immediately -
waving it in front of the rest of us
as with all the pomp and aplomb
of a royal.

Minutes later,
he nodded to noone in particular
and reversed his sign to SLOW.

I waved and smiled
as I touched the accelerator.
He ignored my salute.

Alison Cassidy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/roadworker-with-sign/