Load In/Load Out

into another corner bar they go
climbing stairs covered in clumps of snow and ice
praying they don't slip carrying stacks of drums
hundreds of pounds of amplification

they set up in the corner
keeping a path clear
so that people can still get
to the bathroom while they play

untangling mic chords
untangling guitar cables
setting levels on the p.a.
tuning up

all in the hope that people will show
and listen
and maybe sing along
and maybe care

but even if no one does
they'll wrap the chords back up
stack the drums in a pile by the door
grab the hundreds of pounds of amplification
and load everything out
down the same set of snow and ice covered stairs