I blink, the electricity is off.
The day has brought
night to an end on top of me.
Lamp oil and flashlights save me
from myself.
I walk in darkness.
In this darkness I don't
see my shadow.
When the wind goes still
cold chills down my spine
don't feel anymore.
I walk in darkness like this
but I've been fooled myself before
at Halloween, fears of July thunderstorms.
July thunderstorms have knocked the lighting out of me.
Pulled the electricity out of my sockets, pulled plugs from my condo.
Lying in bed with only this conversation to keep me company.
I feel like an ice tope insulated around in my words,
Looking for images in shadows, quiet corners.
I creep myself alone.
Here I lie on my back in bed, think, try sleep-
with ghosts, witches, spiders, devils,
and all kinds of nasty things.
Nothing brings Christ out of closed wilderness
faster than darkness being alone.
I blink, and electricity is back on.
July, I've been fooled like this before.

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2007