preparing for peace
pressure cookers
left on roadside
explode harmlessly
at midday rush hour
the prince is tied up
having his hair done
the news at nine
report nothing
stray dogs and cats
wander the streets
window shopping
after sundown
the city is silent
bracing for the calm
children catching
fireflies in glass jars
the bottle is empty
the magic is gone
the king is all but dead
long live the queen
october two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
“Having his hair done.” 🙂 That was priceless.
I don’t know why, but you made me think of my favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time. Also Little Women … the girls dressing up and acting out the plays that Jo wrote.
thanks so much for visiting again and sharing your thoughts…wonderful company
Ditto. I get so excited when I see you pop up in my feed. 🙂
‘bracing for the calm’ – an insightful twist on an old cliche. Thank you again for sharing your poetry.
imagine bracing for peace oh what a world this would be – thanks to you as well
So good if the pressure cookers could be harmless… alas they are either sold to make bombs or moonshine.
I vote moonshine each and every time.