Cellar Light

First frost fell

on the northern plain

Cold glass

windowpane

The garden's pulled

and the squash is dry

Not one tear

in this dry eye

Down the stairs to the cedar shelf

I did all

this work myself

Row by row in the dim-lit room

Banishing

the winter gloom

Four hundred jars lined up in the dark

Each one a promise,

a vital spark

Radio hums an old sweet song

Winter is cold

but I am strong

Sweet tomato and summer bean

Best preserves you've ever seen

He's been gone three seasons now

But I still

remember how

Four hundred jars lined up in the dark

Each one a promise,

a vital spark

Radio hums an old sweet song

Winter is cold but I am strong

(I am strong)

Four hundred jars...

And a radio... (hummm)