a villanelle about the effects of electricity to humankind.

   Juice


Carried aloft by skeletal giants,

Invisible blood surge through steel veins.

Sating appetite we become reliant.


Quenching thirst of its comfortable clients,

Instant light evolving from foetal flame.

Carried aloft by skeletal giants.


Versatile, adaptable, compliant.

Embryonic spark sprung to nuclear gain.

Sating appetite we become reliant.


Took for granted with every appliance,

From magneto manger; Faraday’s fame.

Carried aloft by skeletal giants.


Without constraint its deadly defiant,

As our needs expand it takes the strain.

Sating appetite we become reliant.


Artificial wombs to means of violence,

The King of power so long may it reign.

Carried aloft by skeletal giants,

Sating appetite we become reliant.



Paul Athorne