Two Nights

It happened all of a sudden. Silence. Some confusion at first, but it became apparent. The radio said it was the entire East coast. Things stalled. Became slow. Waiting eagerly for things to restart, we craved the hum of the machines.

In the heat, sunset was a blessing. Ice cubes more precious than diamonds. Strange to see the stars at dusk, even stranger in the absence of sound. No lights inside, people spilling into their yards.

A cold drink in a sweaty glass. The melody of children playing and adults laughing. So dark, yet the summer moon glowing like a lamp. People stayed out forever. The perfect night. Some almost forgot that nothing was working. Some secretly wished the power went out more often.