A bit of home, Astoria…

THE LABOR TEMPLE

by Logan Garner

(Plan B Press, 2023)

Fridays here are Tuesdays now.

They say it’s different—devoid of the old Work Ethic:

the Labor Temple. Astoria.

The summer swell of tourists elevates the Temple

Filling its seats for a while with lip gloss, karaoke, idle minds. 

Come November the Temple will sink 

back toward the sea, in time, 

a damp and whimpled return to past and namesake.

It was a temple, real. 

A blue-collar high priest tended bar.

It was one back then. Prayers

from bowed heads fell into pints and highballs 

for nearly a century here onto oiled wood

polished by so many hands and elbows.

How many didn’t even feel the need to whisper—

Nurses, teachers, tellers, clerks,

loggers, fishermen, artisans, clergymen.

Tired mothers and fathers.

They knew what work was but if you asked they wouldn’t tell you.

Because you didn’t deserve to know. 

They knew a budget isn’t a balanced checkbook.

It was in your pocket

your flimsy wallet storing sweat-softened bills

designated with no small regard for cheap beer and whiskey

at the Temple (or some similar place of worship).

They labored and between times

came to the Temple to pray.