Like Sitting on an Ant Hill

The rear-view mirror

frames Mom’s frowning eyes

she flies past the ghost’s house:

“You two will stay indoors

the rest of today.”

except for Evie

taking a short trip

to the mailbox:

“I can’t. I don’t like

when rain plops on my head.

Like a bird,

if you know what I mean.”

inside the house

lights flicker

Dad sets out

flashlights and candles

thunder cracks

rain gushes

like the lake

is pouring itself

over the roof

no amount of Boggle

passes the time.