Homework WE 14/12/15 - Always Safe

[Shelley Hansen]

Maureen, your prompts this week got me thinking about what storm season means to me, and I couldn't go past the legacy of my 43 years in the electricity industry. So this poem is to praise the skill and dedication of the men and women involved in power restoration. When the power goes out complaints usually outnumber compliments. Line crews are often the unsung heroes - but I know just how hard they work - often under duress and in difficult situations. May they be "always safe".

Always Safe
(c) Shelley Hansen 2015

When clouds hang low in skies of green
I wonder what's in store.
What some describe as "just a storm",
to me means so much more.

You see - I worked for many years
with electricity,
and I remember long ago
the fault calls came to me.

I think of one December when
the heavens opened wide
with lashing winds and driving rain
descending side by side.

The overflow from flume-specked shores
engulfed the esplanade.
The salt spray stained the scenic views
and debris filled each yard.

The first calls came for power loss
as limbs came crashing down.
High voltage feeder damage soon
cut off supply to town.

Fault finding was in progress when
a field report came back ...
the river crossings, running deep,
had blocked the access track.

Exhausted line crews toiled all night
while I stayed by the phone,
providing links to home base so
they wouldn't be alone.

Most customers were good, but some
would try to "have a go"
because they couldn't watch some game
or silly soapie show.

Of course I had to be polite
and show some sympathy,
and try to estimate how long
the outage time might be.

But how I wished that I could speak
some other words instead ...
Our crews are risking life and limb
you fool! Just go to bed!

For many days repairs went on
to clean up and restore;
they cleared the trees from power lines
with sounds of chainsaw's roar.

So when the summer storms invade
and lightning floods the sky,
I think about the folk who work
to keep us safe and dry.

I hope that they'll be always safe
so they, like you and me,
may go back home each summer night
to friends and family.

[DollyDot]

Shelley,
What a great poem! I get your point about how some people react to things that are really out of anyone's control. Sometimes it is nice when you really cannot do anything except talk to each other. After cyclone Yasi, we had no power for probably about 28 hours but we had the gas BBQ and we cooked outside, sat outside and talked and when fine enough went for a walk. Things we all did once. I know you probably you cannot do that in a raging storm but you can still communicate with each other.
A thought provoking poem!
Cheers
Dot

[Neville Briggs]

Goodonya Shelley, that's clear and direct and tells a good yarn.

[Maureen K Clifford]

An excellent write with a timely message and a great use of the prompts as well - dealing with the public is never easy especially the idiots that tend to breed as well but I am with you in the thought of the wonderful work our first responders and emergency service people provide. I've known of firies saving other peoples houses whilst they knew their own homes were under threat .

[Shelley Hansen]

Thank you Dot, Neville and Maureen - I really appreciate your positive feedback.

Yes Dot, I remember Yasi well - I was still working then (though not directly involved in the fault calls any more). And you are right - there are ways to get around it when the power goes off - including an evening of conversation!

Cheers, Shelley

[Catherine Lee]

Excellent poem Shelley, with several extremely good points made...And dealing with the public? Don't get me started!... This reminds me of when we had a cyclone on the way in the Whitsundays and had to get all the guests into the atrium area on lock-down and one particular lady was protesting extremely loudly and angrily because the tea trolley didn't come out on time...We had to remind her that we were actually a tad busy trying to ensure their lives were saved and the tea and cake had therefore fallen slightly on our list of priorities...

[Shelley Hansen]

Shame on you Catherine - a lady simply cannot face disaster without a cup of tea!!!

Yes, I can understand and fully believe your story. There are so many stories of people simply refusing to evacuate, preferring to risk their lives and others rather than leave behind their possessions or the life they know.

The public is a strange animal! On a smaller scale, a lady I know manages a local discount store and tells of how some customers become verbally and almost physically aggressive when the $2 item they came in to purchase happens to be unavailable!

Thank you for the commendation of my poem

Cheers, Shelley

[Maureen K Clifford]

Dealing with the public might be a good topic for our next homework - like you two ladies I dealt with the public for over 30 years - they don't get better from I've seen since retirement

[alongtimegone]

A little botttler Shelley and while I've never been one to phone and complain I admit that I've not given a lot of thought to those who are out there repairing.
Shame on me!
Wazza

[Shelley Hansen]

Thank you Wazza! Yes, I guess it's one of those things many of us take for granted, but good to remind ourselves now and then.