Diary of a Thumb
By Lee Carlson

My usefulness is legendary
The gladiatorial games in Rome
Where my up or down signal
Meant life or death.

The G.I.s of WW II liked me.
When the furlough started
I literally helped millions
Criss-crossing America, going home.

Of lesser significance
The game of marbles
Played on corner lots
By children long ago.

A circle in the dirt … boys
Hunkered down,
Staring down shiny
Beckoning prizes

Nestled in the cocked finger
A speckled orb,
Propelled like a laser missile … yippee
A red nugget for my master’s bag.

Those were the days – I was big time then
Respected and valued
Agile, flexible, talented.
What a piece of work was I.

Things are different now
I’m retired and achy.
I cradle a pen writing checks
And press the remote.