No matter the size, power source or brand,
Flashlights die swiftly in the hands of Kerri .
No viable theory has explained this
Unreasonable phenomenon—
A violation of Newtonian law .

The first flashlight to expire in her youthful,
Energy–draining hands does so after clearing
Christmas wrapping ;  in go the batteries
Which promptly cease functioning in five minutes,
The next set, the same ;  exchanging the gift
The day after changes nothing at all .

Then came the night the car quit on the country lane .

“ Crap ! ”

The 1100 lumens find the defective fuse—
Then darkness rushes into the car .

*[ WSB ]_.