Ode to the IKEA Delivery Guys

by Michael Penny

The sun pushed your truck
onto the ferry and across
the Straight to our Island

to deliver new answers
to how we can live
our furnished life.

I envied your young muscle
and contagious cheerfulness
at what’s just a job.

I signed here and thanks,
here’s a tip and wish
for your return voyage:

now the day’s work’s done
the sun will move to push
your lighter truck to the night

and the time off you’ve earned;
so rest, as we will, comfortably
seated on what you brought.

— from Juniper Volume 2, Issue 3