Fallout (Crank 3)

Assorted flavors, blended

with conversation.

Swelling. Fading. Swelling.

Loud. Soft. Loud. Silent.

In those scant moments

of silence, reflection.

Live-wire tension. You

can feel it building.

Something wants to blow.

You can see it, anxious,

in the lift of shoulders.

You can hear it whine.

Implosion imminent.

WHAT LIGHTS THE FUSE

Is an innocent question.

When are we going home?

asks David. Conversation brakes.

Everyone looks at Kristina,

who doesn’t answer right away.

Finally she says, I don’t know.

Donald stands, clenching

his fists. Fine by me. Who

wants to live with you, anyway?

He slams his chair back

into the wall, rattling dishes.

Then he stalks off into the other

room. Grandpa Scott says,

Excuse me, and follows,

leaving all eyes on Kristina.

I can’t go back to our old place,