canned meat

the canned meats

and fish

are no longer on the shelves

at the supermarket.

wiped out

by the news.

fear of nuclear annihilation

is upon us.

i can see the few 

tattered

survivors in the corner

of a damp

basement,

struggling to open that

last can

of tuna,

or spam, or anchovies.

the last

of what there is to eat,

grinding the lids

with their teeth.