another shovel

another shovel
of coal goes
into the mouth
of the hungry
furnace,
it belches red
and yellow,
hot smoke and ash fly
in the dank
cellar,
embers spark.
the vents are full
of heat.
another shovel goes
in.
then another from the stack
on the floor.
your hands are black.
your shoes too.
the soot is on your brow.
this should be
enough
to get you through
the night.
keep you warm as you back
up the stairs,
to your life.