Hurricane Lantern

The darkness was always much bigger
outside the tent than outside our house. The world
was bigger, full of unexplained noises
beyond the hiss of the lantern
and its charmed circle of white radiance.
The smell of kerosene was the smell
of hot chocolate, trail mix, and flannel sleeping bags.

Only later would I learn
about fossil fuels, resource depletion, the greenhouse effect
and other good reasons to distrust
the easy security of lantern light.
But we still believe they can keep us safe
in case of hurricanes.

Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside