[2024:44] Dismissal Fate, Richard Dinges, Jr. 

On a flat digital screen
a pattern of dots
bursts into a mouth
that follows an electronic
voice, an apology
for my poor fortune
of more hot dry days
devoid of what I need,
a dismal outlook on my fate
that does not change
with the weathercaster’s
words and I apply my
only power of choice
to make the screen go blank.