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 ]_.