YOU GOT YOUR POCKET KNIFE ON YOU?

I’m wearing my pants aint I?
My grandfather would say.

Never go around without a pocket knife
is what Joe Yates told us,
Or someday someone will beat the shit out of you!

This morning, I sent the boys out to feed the calves. They
Hesitated, drove back to me yelling, throw us your knife—
We need it to open the bags. Not a blade between them.

Now I’m the man
without his pocketknife.

                                                by Sean Sexton