Sumps English is a language with words a bit bizarre, And what about their origins--- are they new or from afar? And many words are short and gruff—emotion seem to lack— Are these Anglo-Saxon—before the days of tact? Would like to know much more about-- the word we know as “sump”. It seems to mean “the lowest place” where other things may clump. And be it water, oil or gas--- we encourage it to flow. We need for it—(what it was that clumped)—for somewhere else to go! There’s a thriving business—[designing pumps and such]— To move the stuff that filled the sump and “thank you very much”. Without that trusty pumping there’d be turmoil in our days— No engine lubrication— no fuel injector sprays— Water in the basement--it would follow every rain, The mold and damp and mildew—[only allergies would gain]. But pumps are made by mortal man, and all are doomed to fail, And the timing set for their demise—a bit beyond the pale. We quote “the law of Murphy” and all believe it’s true, ‘The time and mode of each collapse-- a bolt right from the blue”. So if it is that you depend-- your sump be always purged— Consider this advice from me—consider you are urged! Keep a back-up pump on hand--- for whatever it’s to do- For if you needed one at all—you’ll need ANOTHER too! These monosyllabic words that glibly leave the tongue, Are less than appetizing—(on their petard be they hung) Like “dump” and “rump” and “jump” and “hump”—images occur, “Lump” and “bump” and “trump” and “frump”-- associations, stir. But when you’ve cleaned up what accrued from a failure of the PUMP-- The one you trusted like a friend –the one that pumped the SUMP— No longer, now you lack in guile—you‘ve-established flow. Resolved a watchful eye be kept—its status you will know! But all these things I’ve said ‘til now are based on “faith”-- you see— “Faith” that if your bills be paid—“there be ‘lectricity!” But stormy nights can fell the lines, and everything go black— If some back-up watts—you lack—you’re back-ups really lack! Too late it is for that advice— with ‘military’ sound— When planning to erect a home—“take the highest ground”. Bill Woodall