Landers California 1992

Solicitude separates
the firmament, equilibrium
off kilter, babies cry
animals overwrought

It begins

low rumble amassing,
magnitude increases
Sounds have drowned out the heavens punctures my ears

Vintage stove 500 lb hopscotching with asbestos tile

The children !!
one on my hip one in each hand the four of us make our way
 to the door flooring and walls like bumper cars to our bodies we reach the threshold like threading a moving needle

Darkness gives way to eerie light
as we run,  cracks in the sand
 and soil open,  then close
leaping over one, then the next
to reachi,  the edge of the property

Old concrete slab welcomes us
for a moment
Earth's movement will not back down liquefaction begins
pouring itself down ruptured terrain

Power poles swaying,  the ground heaves to spit up whatever is planted
 Joshua trees move like a dark sentry calling for cease fire

Slowing begins,  quaking lessens the atmosphere is electrically charged
where are the birds ?
Cadillac buried, to the frame in hardpan

Someone knocking
at my early morning door
USC geologist sets up camp
on the back forty
second day after,  I inquire
of the damage.

Ruptured mantle ultrasound measures the surface a major fault line as 5 miles deep