***

The google god spoke out — to phone the City was enjoined

The crisis code on site was brief, just three clicks long

Yet heart-pound struggle just to punch them in

With stiff yet shaky ice-cold finger-work

Half hour then of brisk-list robovoice commands —

thrice misdirected, cut off twice, and then

At last came jolly human Jeff — who reassured

Said — these things (what things?)happen

Said — well that all sounds not too bad

Said — City crew would come within two days

Said — I should be there waiting when they did

Asked nicely for a number they could call

Then said — they would not call before they came

There'd be no warning, no appointment made

Said I'd be charged for calling them, should issue prove

To be on private property, which yes it clearly was

Within our fence, as I'd already glumly said to him

Confessed to Jeff my strange new water sin

Still, waiting on their visit-judgment was their rule.

Day after day stood stricken, staring out, entrapped

Must be right there! stern window-waiting when they come

Jeff's two days came and went — no City truck arrived

Remained on guard, on crazy stare patrol

No breaks for covid mental health, or physical release—

no walking out for me — no out at all, all in —

As outside water bubbled, gushed up, swamped the land

As diverse birds hung out and partied down

Afraid to leave, afraid to look, afraid to touch

Stayed in, a covid meme, chock-full of angst — stared . . . out

Then, on the fourth day, that fourth long waiting day,

that sacred name day of dear dead St Valentine

as small lakes formed and spread themselves before my eyes

surprising snowstorm came . . . and terror came

would freezing/melting snow and ice make this —

whatever this in fact might be — get even worse?

***