12/9/2005 - Joe Manning

Before I took my virtual leave of North Adams, I asked Mr. Manning if I could publish one of his poems in my blog. He offered me the following:

Toll Taker 47

The only thing between us and the Bay Bridge
-- was Toll Taker 47.
That's what it said on his badge.

He peered in the window and said,
-- "You've got a beautiful wife."
And she said, "I'm not his wife,
-- not yet anyway."
And 47 pointed at me and said,
-- What are you waiting for?"
And I said, "My change,
-- so we can get across that bridge."

And 47 turned around
-- and pulled out a stack of bills and said,
Here's 300 bucks,
-- go get her a ring,
-- compliments of the State of California."

And I said,
-- "I can't take that money."
And she said, "Oh yes, you can,"
-- and reached across my lap and grabbed the cash.

And we felt like Bonnie and Clyde
-- in an old black jalopy,
as we left Toll Taker 47 in a cloud of dust
-- and disappeared over the bay.

By Joe Manning
Copyright 2005, Flatiron Press
www.sevensteeples.com

I leave Massachusetts a happy man, optimistic about what I shall find in the 180 or so cities that lie in front of me.

14,100 sunny steps. Cheers,