Connor Poff

From Signage at AK Steel's Middletown Works

Hard hat area. “Safety” Happens Here. Did you
remove your safety lock? Caution, wet
floor. Do not enter. Ammonia.
Green coil repair. Wes sucks Cock. Spare
in case of emergency. Keep America Great.
Authorized dumping only—clean
solid fill. Stop, listen, and yield—trains
have right of way. HOT. Nitrogen.
Hydrochloric acid. HOT STEEL. Level one
burning permit area. Absolutely
no smoking. Proud to be an American. RBW
7/16/92. Danger, high voltage. Danger,
confined space; Danger; Danger;
Danger, 132 KV. Do not enter. Caution,
coil field. Caution, coil station. Keep
a safe distance. Do not tamp. Do not
enter. Do not stack rubber rolls. Max
weight limit 200,000. Thank You
Veterans! Slips and falls can be prevented.
Hearing protection required
while this machine is running. Sound
horn prior to entering. Everyone entering
or working in this shop is required
to wear eye protection. “Zero
Accidents” “Where Quality Steel Begins”
Do not enter. Did you remove your safety lock?

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Connor Poff is an MFA candidate at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She grew up as a steelworker's daughter in Middletown, Ohio. When she isn't writing poems, Poff teaches composition, collects vintage cookbooks, and binge-listens to true crime podcasts. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Appalachian Heritage, Volney Road Review, Oakwood Literary Magazine, and others.