rust belt memory

passing the old gypsum plant,
the addition they’d built years ago
where, i recall, a workman died
when the trench caved in

what do his people think now
when they pass this spot
and see the crumbling factory?
what meaning after all
did his death have?

but is that the most important question?
or is it:  what meaning after all
did his life give?

*    *   *

(c) Gregory V Driscoll  2012