Voltage Drop

This place is still a shell of hollow sound.

The light switch is tucked behind the door,

and the only juice is in the corner

by the radiator.

I ran the orange snake across the floor,

a bright, synthetic warning

stretched tight between the wall and the lamp.

I forgot it was there.

The carpet didn't catch me, but the cord did.

I watched the lamp tip,

and when I pulled the plug, the copper teeth

were bent into a sideways grin.

Powerless. Reaching for nothing.