The Hairdryer Cord Is All Tangled

You’ve stepped out of the shower,

dragged the towel up and down

your clean little self. Now

you’ve got to dry your hair, and quick.

Except there’s this tangle. A clogged

artery? But nothing prevents you from

plugging it in—why won’t you? Does

somebody love us all? Undo it,

or else who will, and when?

A time machine and God’s eyes–that’s what

you need. Does no one feel

the tectonic plates, magma, glaciers sliding?

You do, who’ve been anticipating death

since you were four. Your hair is still

so wet. Stop thinking! Your face

will stay that way like Gramma warned.

You’ll catch your own swift undoing.

Untangle the cord, or the knots

will keep seething like a cracked oil pipe

snaking along the ocean floor.

This may be your one chance to stop

the fateful flap of the butterfly’s wings.

Cities are shaking, sinking, singing.

The Earth is burning! Quick, untangle it!