Labor Day

There is a strain of scolding that looks down
On spending Labor Day drinking beer in
Cans on lawns at lakes and in parks in town
And for the local team--go Os!--cheering.

The Pullman Strike, the Mingo Wars, they cite
Labor fights a century old or more.
To begrudge a man his brew on a bright
Late summer Monday seems a little poor.

Thing is, it's true, that what they did to earn
A decent wage and not get ground away
Built society--balance.  Don't let's burn
It up for small theories that all's OK.

Metaphorical Pinkertons: new, bold.
Your beer, not history, that should be cold.


9/3/12