Back to the pantoum. The ‘explosions’ part of the title refers to last night’s gas explosion in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. One of the businesses destroyed in the explosion was Neptune Coffee, the first place I ever read any of my writing in public (a short story, in late 2013). The Couth Buzzard, where I regularly participate in a weekly open mic, is across the street and one block south; their storefront windows were shattered.

Sleep fashioned by heat and a caffeine pill
sees me through the night
Morning, I’m off to a sluggish start
but I feel more or less all right

Seeing me through the night
a night full of dreams I don’t remember
I feel more or less all right
for once, I’m not thinking about November

A night full of dreams I don’t remember
leaves me calm, yet drained
At least I’m not thinking about November
that stuff is nicely contained

Calm, yet drained
I am surprised to hear of the blast
For now, it’s nicely contained
but I suspect the effects will last

I am surprised to hear of the blast
My first clue was a cryptic note
I suspect the effects will last
shock has no ready antidote

My first clue was a cryptic note
What happened the night before?
Shock has no ready antidote
it limits your capacity for more

What happened the night before?
I see lumber, ash, and flashing lights
There is no capacity for more
but it will take a lot to put things right

I saw lumber, ash, and flashing lights
all about the hill
It will take a lot to put things right
starting with heat and a caffeine pill

(9 March 2016)