A LEAKY BASEMENT
When the rain comes down heavy and hard
And it pours in rivulets down our small yard,
We have a problem which is as plain as can be,
The basement floods, running water you see.

So the men of the house are digging with a will,
Below the level and the basement windowsill,
Down to the footings to see what is amiss
We cannot go on having mini floods like this.

Sweat drips off their noses and chins, stings eyes,
The forecast man was wrong, that’s no surprise,
He said it would be cooler, with a gentle breeze
But it’s hot and humid seems like ninety degrees.

You should see them go at it with shovel and pick,
Needs about eight feet down and three feet thick,
But with gallons of juice and a good rest or two
The base will be reached, then there’s more work to do.

So if you have a spare moment and a ton of energy,
Come around, do some digging and I’ll feed you for free,
But if not we hope and pray the rain will still far away,
Then come to test if we are leak proof on another day.

M Ann Margetson © July 30, 2001