Along the roaring street

in the midst of construction

stand the stolid men of orange

an army of them

standing in rows

holding their hands up

to alert passing cars

apply the brakes

slow down

they stand in place

aligned like soldiers

to warn you off the hazard

some will get knocked down

some will blow over

but we must give respect to traffic cones

for what they do everyday

standing sentry in the hot sun

placing their lives in jeopardy

preventing harm to those who dare the streets

they are the dedicated orange men

who put their lives at risk

some of them will pay the ultimate price

they do not have insurance

they do not have a union

all they have is their sworn duty

to serve and protect

with little thanks from those

whose lives they save

who drift too far too late.