May the Power Be With You!

Ice on Fence

—Photo by Taylor Graham, Placerville

CALLING IN THE POWER OUTAGE

—William S. Gainer, Grass Valley

A young woman
answered,
said she was sorry
twice
started crying.
Christ they’re good...

___________________

THE FIRST DAY
—William S. Gainer

The power has been out
since seven this morning
we’re living like cavemen
thinking about eating
one of the dogs.
K. St. Marie suggested
we go out for dinner
I ordered prime rib
the waitress asked
how
I said raw
she asked
potato, salad or soup –
no, just salt...
civilization
creeps back in –
slowly...

__________________

POWER OUTAGE—THE SECOND DAY
—William S. Gainer

the I-Pad –
my last link to the outside world –
power out a second day –
batteries getting low –
we’re living like savages here –
the gods have abandoned us...

__________________

NIGHT'S EERIE SHADOW

—William S. Gainer

Power still out
had to wear my
head-lamp
to read
last night
never noticed
how un-kept
the house seems
in this light
the cobwebs cast
eerie shadows...

I’m not saying shit,
she’s already
threatened me
twice...

__________________

PLASTIC JESUSES

—William S. Gainer
 
I don’t know
which one of you
has been praying
for us
but it worked
the power is back.

You can all take credit.

The sound
of the garage door opener
heaven sent.

It’s plastic Jesuses
for everyone!
Glow in the dark
of course. 
 

 —Photo by Roger Langton

THE SNAKE IN THE WINDOW
—Roger Langton, Louisville, CO

A man lies on an old
saggy couch. He has
had more alcohol
than it is wise to drink.

His wife and best friend
are gone now,
swimming with each other
in a place deep underground.
The snake in the window sees
everything—the man, the wife,
the best friend.

The man continues to sleep.
The friend is gone. His wife
walks him to their bed.

In the morning the man
knows nothing and will
never know what the
snake will always remember.

____________________

SHOELACES

—Ann Menebroker, Sacramento

She can't tie her shoes.
Remember when it didn't
rain and nothing was as
confusing as it seems
to be now?  Red flowers
are streaks in her memory.
A spider is her only friend.
Who is calling, she asks?
The web is so firm.
The telephone is so unfriendly.

_____________________
           
BALANCING GERANIUMS

—Ann Menebroker

There are eight potted plants
on my Victorian porch, and most
of them are geraniums.  They
can be divided by four and by two.
There are seven days in the week
and that is probably why we
can't always even things up.

_____________________                   

CONNECTIONS TO THE UNIVERSE
AND A SALMON RUN
—Ann Menebroker

He dials his cell phone
while walking along a busy
city street to talk
to an old friend.  It's
a good day in the city.
he is three weeks shy
of retirement, worried
about how he'll fill
his time.  He's always
worrying about his life.
Any other worry merges
with his speculative
universe.  A fish market
draws his attention.
Making a dry apology, he
cuts the connection
and walks toward
fresh salmon.

____________________

Today's LittleNip:

COLOR

—Ann Menebroker

This bright blue radiates
as if we can measure
delight with color.
It's just my car.   

___________________

—Medusa, with thanks to Bill Gainer for his Power Outage suite ('tis the season!), to Roger Langton for his unsettling poem and photo (which he swears was not staged in any way), to Roger's cousin Annie for some wee poems she found in a back drawer from several years ago (go hunting through your drawers; maybe you'll find such treasures!), and to Taylor Graham for the photos she's been taking up here in the foothills, where frost is heavier, lasts longer, and makes such beautiful patterns!

     —Photo by Taylor Graham