My cottage sits behind a shingled box
that holds four separate units. They all share
a gas line but my own’s alone. When shocks
from work around their basement (to repair
the drainage) caused the earthquake valve to trip,
I understood why heaters didn’t flame,
why stoves refused, hot water fell to zip –
their gas was off, the safety valve to blame.
I opted not to so protect my line,
and more than once I’ve seconded that choice.
By present hand or absent luck I’m fine
(unless/until) – more often I rejoice
that I decide to live with risky bits.
Statistically, my resolution fits.
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