emergency run
it’s christmastime & we’ve no tequila in the cupboard
this pointed out to me by someone who doesn’t live here
how can we play stop lights without tequila
what could possibly take its place
—red —yellow —green
the travelers & gatherers & unannounced guests
have since moved on their merry way
now that the blizzard has passed
what shall keep us warm tonight without the power
without the fire
or the stories or the liquor
what could possibly make us survive another night
I’ve always wanted snowskies & snowshoes
just in case we need to make an emergency run
helping others along the way
stranded & without a prayer to make it to safety
that is
until I arrive like a miracle out of the ice
like a saint bernard with a backpack full of spirits
december two thousand twenty-two
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved