Thursday, September 10, 2015

the high rise

the electrical fire
knocks out the power in the building.
the water too.
the elevators
don't work, no air conditioning.
slowly the angry
mob of tenants gather
in the lobby
with their dogs
having walked down eighteen
flights of stairs.
people are holding candles
to light the darkened
hallways. flashlights
are pointed at faces.
someone brings down a bottle
of booze, another
a cake
with paper plates and forks.
a card game breaks out.
a little girl in pigtails
has a hoola hoop,
which she swings around her
tiny body again and again.
a man brings his banjo down
and starts playing.
he's quickly asked to stop.

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