Jessica Lee McMillian

HOW TO RECOVER

one of the first steps
is learning to rewire.

filament becomes so intense
it burns out.
field of vision narrows.
then falls dark.
the people in the room
black out.

it's best to unplug
directly from the outlet. cut
the wire. undress
the metal shell from paper nest.
extricate the old
cord. feed the new,
allow extra length.
tie an underwriter's knot
to reduce stress.
to insure
be sure
to know each pole
has a metallic hue,
like sun and moon.
for even distribution
of power,
secure the hot wire
around the brass terminal
and the neutral wire
around the silver.
turn gently
rest
back into the socket.
illuminate
again.
see the room.


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