By: Melissa Taylor
the world is quiet
except for the nighttime symphonies
played by insects unseen
and the distant hum of generators
as they struggle
to keep food from slowly rotting
the world is dark
except for the occasional flicker
of a candle from
a pitch black window, and
a single star and
a cloud covered moon that provide a
glimmer of light
for a brighter tomorrow
only silhouettes
of houses and trees
line the block,
empty shells of
suddenly arduous lives forced
to carry on
without modern amenities
but cool air has finally
broken through
a sweltering month
and an even more
intolerable year
and despite this reprieve
and the sweet sounds that fill the
crisp,
summer air,
not a single candle flame illuminates a porch
as they all
hide inside
dreading what
tomorrow
may bring
Melissa Taylor is an occupational therapist and single mother of two from New Jersey.