Ode to the Lineman

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Each winter and sometimes early spring many of us deal with loss of power for a few hours to sometimes days or weeks from snow, high winds and many other reasons. So I wrote this ode pay tribute to the linemen who maintain miles of power lines, working long hours and far into the night, with artificial light to restore power to thousands so we can have light and electricity once again Ode to the Lineman By Jennine Donier CR Feb 28, 2012 The wind howled, the snow fell, the trees swayed A winter hell. Ice formed on electric lines Lights flickered, blinked on and off, alas power lost A call is made, lanterns and candles lit, restoration Of power could be a long wait. Battery radio for the news Read a book, take a snooze, keep warm with a nip of booze Out in the cold the linemen work in all sorts of weather the worst months of winter when snow falls light as a feather Their job they don’t shirk, tramping in snow knee deep climbing poles they work long hours without sleep They climb into utility trucks drink coffee thermos warm Wishing they could be with family asleep in bed at home They work through the midnight hour, to restore power To thousands of homes, they keep working tired to the bone Warming their hands belly full of sandwich and hot coffee They step out in the cold of a bitter white land lines on the ground raised again in the air, broken lines they repair They travel miles of road, climb utility poles, string wires working through darkness of night to restore our light. A transformer is replaced, trees cut away, they work til break of day When you say your prayers tonight thank God for the linemen Who worked through long hours on a dark cold night so you could have light