C R Clark - .Ice Storm Chili

We rose that day, no power at all
The whole county stymied from ice and snow
The central heat, though gas, no good
For, without the “juice, ” it would not go

I lit the gas heater on the wall
Thank God, we had it, or we might have froze
Then rummaged through my camping gear
For lanterns, lamps, and Coleman stove

The kids came up they had no power
And theirs was an all electric home
The grandkids bundled and played in the snow
Until we forced them to come get warm

I went to the cabinet for my chili pot
Then raided the freezer for venison, ground
And checking to see what else was there
Tomatoes from last summer’s garden, I found

A couple of onions and seasonings in hand
The Coleman stove on top of the range
A blue flame burning beneath the pot
The plan for survival was now in place

Then stir the kettle, the chili bubbles
Ain’t nothing like chili on a cold, cold day
Dished it up and served with crackers
Ice storm chili, the best I ever ate

© C R Clark 1/15/2008

C R Clark

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