Thermostat

I went to see my good friend Fahrenheit,
(the February sun had said good-night),
the evening rush had settled down for supper.
When I walked in I asked him, “What is new?”
(I noticed in his face a hint of blue),
and to my shock he wore a heavy cotton sweater!

And so I blamed it on the thermostat,
(I noticed a chill--I maintained my hat.)
A single degree diminished by this guy;
yet at the time I really knew not why.
Yes sir, I blamed it on the thermostat,
(the changes get old, wherever you’re at.)
“The same old,” he said, as I brushed off the snow;
(his red sweater did not seem apropos.)
Yet we’re safe and sound,
    though the temperature is down.

We talked a bit despite the hiding heat,
(his cat came out to get a bite to eat.)
I heard a purr and noticed a cat shiver.
I petted Darryl as he munched his food,
(this loss of heat to me seemed pretty rude),
and when he left, I swear I noticed Darryl shudder!

And so I blamed it on the thermostat,
(a change for the worse, too much for a cat.)
The lowering of the warmth I’ve come to love;
(and so I beseeched help from high above.)
Oh, yes I blamed it on the thermostat,
a shivery realm, like the Laundromat.
He offered me iced-tea with a subtle wink;
but I said, “I’d rather have a good, hot drink!”
  And we feel the stress,
  when the temperature is less.


32 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
2-5-16