Benny

Lunch bucket sits dusty-
in exile after greed
drowned common sense
when the plant closed-
contents unchanged within
but not forgotten by its owner.

Remembering clearly-
7:30am found them mute
standing before the entry
to what gave each existence-
the empty faces of disbelief
that would pass to a wife.

Halloween came early-
no treat to be sought out
in the trick served them
that cold October morn-
Christmas brought few gifts
for his twenty year devotion.

In that dusty lunch box-
held proudly everyday
in hands by which pride
honestly believed-
lay one peanut butter sandwich
under a note that read, 'I love you!'.