Were you there when the petrol ran out?

Drivers had cause to scream and shout.

Then some got wild, and gave out thumps,

Plenty of trouble at those pumps.

A dilemma for some, for others a perk,

They had an excuse to say off work.

No visitors came to cheer the sick,

The garage owners got a lot of stick.

Food could get scarce, the shops were told,

Then bread and milk became like gold.

The carers unable to reach the lonely,

How everyone sighed, and said if only.

It was the main topic for men at the bars,

What could they do without their cars.

Return to normal would take a while,

Then who would wear the biggest smile?

Mrs Joan Foster

Moor Lane, Bolton