fantasy of broken glass
steps from fridge
to barrel-chested
water heater

push the green button
clicks to ignite pilot
filling with heat
the cold, vacuous hope chamber

click times twenty
no yield
wait
wait

the projectionist empties
the can and tosses ribbons
to the screen--
that's his job

click times twenty
no yield
wait
wait

but behind the lights
he sees not what
the screen's
face lays bare

click times twenty
no yield
wait
wait

the projectionist hears
only what his own speakers
interpret as consistent
with what he is familiar

click times twenty
still no flame
wait
wait

so walk the glass path?
take a nap
call your State Farm agent
task manager forced reboot