On the West Side,
no one complains about
the heat: there
isn't any; but
folks do be trying to grab
a little warmth
People naturally
don't want to freeze,
but sometimes
that's a little more
than they can afford
Sometimes,
we light the oven
those of us with gas
or turn on an old 'lectric heater
after running an extension cord
next door
we even burn old wooden chairs
in the tub, or
bring a garbage can in and
let it be our fireplace
We know not to relax in?
to comfort in
the winter of the night
we might get drowsy and
go to sleep
Too often
we are the burning story in
the morning news
