Descended smoke thick as Beijing smog
Cell phone coverage and landlines out
All ties cut to the world-wide web
Blackout during The Deathly Hallows
Reverting to buckets for toting water
Patterson mountain seemingly moved
Faith that someone will bring it back
Stepping outside to fill my lungs
with California pine, Oregon grape,
Detroit market, Malden barn—
Omak child.
Holding that breath as night falls
Exhaling, remembering 9-11
Worse, remembering 9-12
I would count my lucky stars
if only I could