Old Wood Stove

While in an antique shop, I came across a wood stove The cast iron, covered in rust, had seen better times I admired it as it stood within this vast treasure trove There's no doubt the antique worked well in its prime You rose early in the morning before the rooster crowed Gathering what you needed, like dried kindling or sticks Once the kettle got to boil, creating steam on the window Patience in preparing a meal because it took a while to fix Belching on a belly of splintered wood, hot to the touch Before the EPA, a coal-burning stove smoked up a place Claiming victims who inhaled its carbon fumes too much Standing on its bowlegs, taking up valuable floor space A wood stove was a mainstay, one you couldn't live without If a fire died on cold days, you might end up in poor health You dumped the ashes regularly. There wasn't any doubt A poor-working wood stove would often cause one's death We gathered around the piece of iron to listen to ghost tales A cozy, toasty altar when the old decrepit house would creak Its consistent use has proven, over time, to be tough as nails Stoking the flames warmed your frame any day of the week