saving

we salvage
what we can. metals,
tin,
fools gold, and silver.
we save string, making
a large ball.
pennies clink
into the can.
coupons cut are stacked.
there's even one for spam.
we go easy on the water,
the lights
kept down to one, and that
one low.
these shoes have
another year in them,
same with these thread
bare clothes.
we salvage love,
doling out just enough
to keep loved
ones close.
we do just enough
to keep
the home fires burning,
a log
a day, letting a small
flame glow.