Lightning Rods
Strange how in order to avoid a fate
That in all likelihood won’t befall us
We call its attention to ourselves
Like the teacher distracting the shooter
From the kids she hid in the closet
Or how out of legitimate fear that
Lightning will strike the barn
We bolt a copper rod to the roof
Making it more likely that
The thunderhead will turn its head
This way so that what was before
An agent of free will has no choice now
But to strike here where its fate is
To die away into inflammable ground
And all because we would rather wake
To the bang and flash and know
We played a part in its striking here
Than lie awake waiting for it
To maybe to