The Big One

I live where the earth 

makes houses creak 

ever so slightly at night

Sometimes

low deep rumblings come 

quickly, unexpected

and jolt the headboard 

against the wall 

and send the animals scurrying 

It is then I become 

one of the thousands of people

in bed, senses tingling

wide-eyed

holding our breath

as we try to determine

The Big One 

     or not The Big One: 

that is the question.

So far, not yet.

So for now 

we live with doors 

that slowly open themselves

on frames no longer true

and once-plumb fences

are now crooked spines bowed with age

being pulled in all directions.

When Mother Earth 

rolls over to get comfortable 

everybody stops 

whatever they are doing

to pray her peaceful dreams

continue undisturbed.

Ken Owen   
Van Niddy Press   February 2018