April 21, 2011. Fuel

 

We had enough fuel oil for ten days, and got paid

every two weeks. “You pay cash,” the man

from the oil company had said, “up front.”

So for four days of every two weeks,

no heat.

 

The stove ran on gas, so we boiled

water in huge spaghetti pots and nailed

sheets of thick plastic across the livingroom door

so the warmth would find its way

upstairs.

 

It went on like this all winter, it seemed

to snow every Tuesday for weeks. We all had

colds and walked around the house in caps

and sweaters, sleeves stretched long to cover

our hands.

 

But when the oil truck would come

it always felt like Christmas.

Comments

[Bonnie]

Wow...I know I sound strange but I couldn't help but smile...this reminds me so much of my childhood. Thanks.