The Work of a Lineman

Michael Delacerda, who works for Four County EMC, is the inspiration for his granddaughter's poem, "The Work of a Lineman."

Tanaleigh Smith is the 12-year-old granddaughter of Michael Delacerda, lineman for Burgaw-based Four County EMC. She submitted the following poem to the 2018–2019 National PTA Reflections Contest — with the theme “Heroes Around Me” — where it has placed first at her school, Charles P. Murray Middle School, as well as at the county level in New Hanover County. Her poem will next compete at the state level for a chance to compete at the national level.

The Work of a Lineman

By Tanaleigh Smith

You get the call late at night,
you have to lace your boots up tight.
The wires are down, the people need lights.

You kiss your family, you don’t feel like going,
the rain is pouring and the wind is blowing.

Long hours, hard work, and bad weather, you do it all.
The job is not easy, but it was your call.
Your boots are wet but still stand tall.

You wanted to be a lineman and climb the tall poles,
and making people happy is your main goal.

It takes pride, integrity, and a whole lot of guts,
and some may think that you’re quite nuts.

Linemen have a bond that is like no other.
It’s made by the hazards and dangers you face together.

You trust your pole buddy, you know he’ll be there,
to give you a hand up high in the air.

As you hook your boots to the pole in the sky,
the wire is big and the voltage high.
With God’s good grace, he won’t let you die.

When all of the work is done, and the day is through,
You go home to your families, and unlace the boots,
proud of what you do.