Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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The Lugging of Coal Clinkers. I just heard that the world-wide use of renewable energy Has outstripped by more than half the use of coal. Coal is a dirty, polluting substance which releases masses of CO2. The mining of coal also causes Black Lung in the human workers. Ironically and thoughtlessly, the 'regime' wants the use of coal to increase, But has cruelly cut all research funds towards this terrible disease. This announcement has brought forth from my childhood memories, Our urban household use of coal to winter-warm our New England home. The delivered coal order (by the ton) was poured down a hatch into a huge bin. Later, the coal was carried in buckets to the basement furnace, The shovelled black diamonds were cast through a fire-roaring door; Just how much each time I used to throw in, I do not remember. I always remember the iron-clunk sound as I closed the iron door. But that was not all, in order to stay warm. As days passed, the furnace had to be periodically cleaned! Burnt coal leaves a so-called 'clinker' waste. (Possibly a New England term.) We had huge tongs, used to remove these clinkers to a metal barrel. These clinker-barrels had to be dragged up, out of the basement And dragged down the driveway to the curb collection site. A lot of work all winter, just to keep warm. Contrast that to today, where an urban home just clicks a switch. Presently living in the country, our counterpart to my childhood travails, Is wood burning with all its analogous chores. Now, no more wood burning, yielding to my solar-produced electricity. We have come a long way. Frank Maurer 14 October 2025 1055 Hours.