I’m participating in an online poetry retreat for the rest of the month. This is my first poem.

Take 1

No, not protected
it was password rejected

I know I selected the right one
and typed in the right line

I’m looking at it right now

—

I wish this keyboard weren’t so wonky

My fingers are going there
but the letters are over here

And I have to press the button for letters
to access numbers

—

Take 2

Okay
press the on/off button and the fast-forward button at the same time
and hold for five seconds

The system will re-start

One, two, three, four, five

Okay
it’s re-starting

Yes, I see the animation

—

I wish this keyboard weren’t so wonky

My fingers are going there
but the letters are over here

And I have to press the button for letters
to access numbers

I know I selected the right one
and typed in the right line

I’m looking at it now

—

Take 3

I can install it myself?
What’s the URL?

Yes, I can just follow the instructions from here

—

Take 4

How do I know something is happening?

—

Take 5

Maybe I should try it over here

Apples are more satisfying
but sometimes you have to open a few Windows…

—-

Take 6

Okay, now we’re getting somewhere

It’s too bad I’m missing the news—
but I can watch the repeat in a couple of hours

They’re not going to be talking
about anything different, anyway

—

Take 7

Maybe it needs its own connection—
it seems to be needy like that

I’ll name it after the Red Baron
He’d like that

Would she think it’s weird
that the password is her birthday?

I just want something that’s easy to remember

—

Take 8

I don’t believe it
No, really, I don’t

But there it is

It’s… actually…
working

—

Epilogue

Is this really how I spent my day?

Hello, Monday!

(5 October 2020)

---

Wishes sometimes have consequences is available to order from your favorite local bookstore.

IndieBound search: https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=wishes+sometimes+have+consequences

If they can’t get it for you, you can always find it on Amazon:
Hardcover: https://smile.amazon.com/Wishes-Sometimes-Consequences-Kevin-OConner/dp/0998878154/
Paperback: https://smile.amazon.com/Wishes-Sometimes-Consequences-Kevin-OConner/dp/0998878162/

Information about my other books can be found here.