Catherine Chandler's Poetry Blog

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Madison Street: "Doc" Baumann

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Doc” Baumann

 

No architects or bankers grace our block;

just tradesmen, office clerks, a nurse or two,

a teacher, mailman, meter maid, mechanic,

scores of housewives. Not a single doc.

That is, unless you count the Baumann crew

Fred Kramer called this morning in a panic

because a lightning bolt crevassed our tree,

crushing his brand-new Buick Century.

 

Tree Surgeon says the sign on Baumann’s door;

so, armed with chainsaws, ladders, wedges, ropes,

Doc and the guys excise the sycamore

without the need for clamps or stethoscopes.

One hundred forty rings run round its core—

that’s thirty presidents, eleven popes.

 

 


 


 

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