3 minus

entire limbs cracked off
leaving gaping holes
in TV screens; those
placed nearby suffered
greatly, loss of picture,
sound, a certain ambient disdain
for creatures of the wild.

fractured streets gave way
to huge clumps of oil-based
paint, swept down
from mountain tops, cascading
tumultuously out of hearing
range of those
who sought refuge on top
of the huge, blown-up rubber
Santa Clauses set out
by gas stations to lure
motorists with fruit cake
on their breath.

meanwhile, the last wave
concocted by automated
hot tubs set off
reactions in various wired
politicians
who scanned
their computers for answers
to the question “why?” and
then plunged breath mints
into oral cavities, hoping
to please the gods.