Switched on – Shorelines

The other night the lights went off

I got an awful scare

I’m totally terrified of the dark

When Mum and Dad aren’t there

My Dad ran from the garden, shouting

‘Don’t you worry, son!

‘I’ll meet you in the bedroom

And we’ll get the power back on.’

I crept along the hallway

Till I saw my Dad’s cellphone

His face looked ghostly in the light

But at least I wasn’t alone.

My Dad put on his brave voice

So that I didn’t panic

Shame he’s not an electrician

(or a plumber or mechanic).

Dad said: ‘OK, a switch has tripped

So all we have to do

Is flip each one in turn

And it should all be tickety-boo!’

I held the ladder and the phone

Till every switch was flipped

A golden glow then filled the room

And my Dad’s forehead dripped

‘Dad’ I asked as he climbed down

‘Is the power for the planet

Under you control?’ He laughed

‘Why, no, it can’t be… can it?

Then I asked another question

That filled my Dad with mirth:

‘If that’s the case, then why is there

A switch that’s labelled EARTH?’

2014

Photo description: A photo of an old electrical distribution board with switches labeled stove, lights, geyser, plugs and earth.