the darkness

the darkness sets in

not again

             i pray

but i know it's too late

my face

furious

     hot heat beyond

control

     i spring up

          i sprint forth

pulse

pounding lungs

              screaming not

enough air not

            enough time i

slide stockings                      across linoleum

mouth agape

from panting

                   no

                       from horror

                             for now

i see it

black smoke spiraling ceilingward

onion bagel burning below

i curse the

           120-volt

                  funeral pyre

                              before me

both for not

popping

when it should have

     and

for not being

powerful enough

                        to take

     my

          wretched

                        life

as well