Crying Woman

Written by Jude Vincent Waguespack

The pipe was driven down into the earth. The workers on the project all clapped each other’s backs at another job well done. For the foreman, this was his fourth oil drilling and so wasn’t as nearly excited as his workers. Still, he had to admit, he was proud. Proud of a job well done. He could get to bed tonight knowing he had supplied enough fuel to last for 30 more years. Never mind that the scientist and geologist had declared this to be the last oil reserve. They still had 30 years!
Besides, he thought, if the scientist were worried about running out of fuel they would have thought of something by now, right? No. He wouldn’t let himself think like that. He didn’t want his good mood to spoil. With that in mind he agreed to go with the guys to Old Pegs’ Old Keg, the local bar.
But still, the thought would not leave his mind. Even after his breath would register 3 points over the legal limit, the thought hung around like a ghost, warning him.
What if they were right? What if there is no more oil left? What if there is no more oil left? What are we going to do? He thought. “Hey,” he told himself,” Just congratulate yourself on a job well done. You finished it and no one got hurt.”
At least no one he knew. Another tear ran down her face as one more pump sucked her dry. Only 4.55 Billion years old and yet her skin sagged down. Her hair was falling in clumps daily, long since grayed. “What is happening to me?” she cries in pain. “I should have a few billion years left! What is happening to me? Tears streamed her face as she sat down, knowing her final breath was drawing near “Not now! It shouldn’t be my time. Not now!” Mother earth yelled in anguish for the final time. Her breathing grew shallow and then stopped entirely.
Miles down in the Mother Earth’s skin, the human race woke foe the final time before realizing their mistake.