As the storm moved in, you marked the night
And later the night marked you. A biblical clap woke
      The house to a spray of sheetrock: a powdered sprite
Sprung off the nailheads. Air flavored with ozone.
                                On the ceiling in the hallway, a halo
                                   Grew orange around a fixture, aglow—
                                And Dad on the phone

      Downstairs, and now shepherding the young ones
Out to shelter in the soaphouse, and Mom, who’s usually
      Sharp as a crack, fumbling in the pandemonium
At the extinguisher—so you, small and spry,
                                Someways slither in
                                   Up the crawlspace, and
                                Confront a burning fan.