When those pops go off, my cat rushes away
Towards the only corner of safety, I think I know
In that instant of explosion, of beer-fueled fun
Factors comprised of festive jingoism and commercial
Nationalism froth from drunk denizens and celebratory
Lynch mobbers in that frenzy, that frenzy that seeps out
Of the festering sores ripped open with each exertion
Each overreach as those pops fire off, and explodes mists
Sparkling with cherry ice-pop tones dancing with blues
But, mostly white, as the noises go louder and the corner
Gets smaller until the air chokes breathing passages no
Longer capable of free movement of air and the choice
To live can’t be clearly made because that smoke, those
Lights block and blind the senses until there’s only one thing
Left for a scared, shelter animal to do, and she runs, she scatters
And flees from the corner I thought would be safe for her but
She is left with no choice but to rush headlong into the night
Across still busy streets until flickering blues, reds, and whites.