Hard Times

Snows caps on the far hills it's gonna be a hard one. I drive to town for some lumber, check out a new generator old ones on the fritz. Folks got some winter gear on already. At the hardware store slow minded Jack Hawkins gives me a hard time. I hand him a list of ammo I'll be needing, some fishing tackle, tar paper and paint - put it all on store credit. On the sidewalk sheriff Harper gave me a sideways look as he drives on by. Back at the double-wide there's chores aplenty waiting. I wish the old lady was still here, but she died last winter after a long year of gut ache. I miss her niggling ways and the bed needs her warmth. At the funeral her sister glared nails at me all through the service; she ain’t the forgiving kind. Bolt down a greasy supper then catch a face in the cracked wall mirror an old mug with steel gray eyes. I wish I could find a question to ask that feller but I already know that I'm just hanging on here not willing yet to give one god-damn inch.