I Think God Stole My Flashlight Poem by Mary Nagy

As I stumbled through the darkness
groping at anything to get my bearings
I tried to feel for something that was familiar
yet I recognized nothing.
No electricity
so the silence was deafening.
I'm so use to the electrical hum
that seems to fill the house without being noticed
that my ears felt like they were being deceived.
This was my house but it was dark
and it was quiet
too quiet.

I finally found my way to the kitchen
by walking along holding the wall
that held familiar coat hooks covered by
the childrens coats, my purse,
and the many rings of keys...
Ah, yes! It's all coming back to me!
In the kitchen I find the drawer
that SHOULD hold a flashlight
that we keep there
for just such an emergency.
None!
There are abandoned cell phones,
half-used rolls of tape,
pencils, pens, business cards
(of people we've never done business with)
paper clips, spark plugs,
there's even a hood ornament off a Cadillac
(We've never even owned a Cadillac!)
but, no flashlight.

Where is everyone?
Why aren't they helping me?
I'm calling their names but get no reply
nothing is moving in this house.
How could that be?
Just when I start to panic
a beam of light from a flashlight shines a path for me.
I can't see who's holding the flashlight
but, instinctually I know not to ask.
A sense of calm washes over me...
NO, I mean THROUGH me.
I can feel the calm begin in my chest
with a warmth, almost hot feeling
that slowly works it's way down
to my fingertips and toes.
I know I'll be ok as long as he keeps shining that light.

I wake up
still feeling that warm tingle all over my body
and jump out of bed to see if the power had gone out.
No. Everything is as it was when we went to bed last night.
It's been 3 days since this dream, and I still feel that warmth.
I hope it never leaves.