Refrigerator Works $50
The neighbor’s fridge idles on the sidewalk
lounges on the lawn
lurks on the side of the street
sharpie scrawled on the freezer door
Works. $50
where will it work?
swing shift at the factory?
will it loop a tie round its neck?
briefcase hanging from the handle
strut growling down the street?
odd jobs at a neighbor’s yard on a hot day?
incubate popsicles for the neighborhood kids?
do refrigerators retire?
can we trust its impulses to be benign?
or will its cavalier owners wake one night
off-white eggshell hulking in the moonglow
maw slowly hinging open
no light
lounges on the lawn
lurks on the side of the street
sharpie scrawled on the freezer door
Works. $50
where will it work?
swing shift at the factory?
will it loop a tie round its neck?
briefcase hanging from the handle
strut growling down the street?
odd jobs at a neighbor’s yard on a hot day?
incubate popsicles for the neighborhood kids?
do refrigerators retire?
can we trust its impulses to be benign?
or will its cavalier owners wake one night
off-white eggshell hulking in the moonglow
maw slowly hinging open
no light
Linea Jantz has worked in a wide range of roles over the years including waste management, medical records, paralegal, and teacher. Her writing is featured or forthcoming in publications including Pamplemousse, The Dyrt Magazine, The Spokesman Review, Singletracks, HamLit Journal, and NonBinary Review. Her poetry was featured in the ARS POETICA juried art exhibit at Blowing Rock Art History Museum and has received a nomination for Best of the Net. She is the Writing the Land Poet for the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
Beaver Magazine 