Memories of Big Jim

I felt it after Big Jim the custodian died
the one who laughed like old King Cole
and always called a minute an hour
and a second passing in the hall
a good story moment

I worked in the AV the audio visual department
wheeled 16 mil projectors through our high school
for health and history even math on occasion
then after switching on the machine

became a shadow in the darkened classroom
watched the rows and rows of heads faceless
focused on the screen at the front on its tripod
the one that screeched as I set it up

and then when it was over
I hastily replaced the film in its canister
replaced the cover on the projector
and pushed through the door

to freedom in the empty labyrinth
as the teacher said loudly Okay class
take out your books and turn
to page 1963

or You there what's it about
the Golden Mean
that made Walt Disney smile
or Right everybody

take out a sheet of paper
and answer the following questions—
the dreaded pop quiz—
to see who wasn't paying attention

and if I was quick to return
to my film rewinder
check for breaks
splice as needed

package up the latest
academic celluloid
I could linger by the delivery dock
and chat with Big Jim

who lost one lung
fighting in the war
sailed the seven seas
built his own house

kept chickens
told really bad jokes
and never ever kept me in the shadows
always treated me like a person

with no pop quiz at the end