For A Brave New World: Three

Siren Song

The light above our license plate is out

It is 3:00AM

He is leaving for work

He must drive through the whitest part of town

He says the bulb is in the glove compartment

I screech as if I am widow, open casket

As if they already pulled him over

Tell him not to drive

He says it will be fine

I am awash with visions

Red lights, blue lights, sirens, toe tags, hash tags

Muted hysteria

Silent and flailing inside

I say he is careless

Irresponsible

Cavalier

He says he is unafraid

Leaves for work

I am a sea of prayers and flickering flames

I tick and tock for eight hours

Hold my breath

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