“Faraday Cage” by Maija Haavisto

so what if it’s a Ferris wheel
that lets you see the whole city
in the golden hour of the setting sun
getting cotton candy fingerprints
on the camera 

but eventually
you decide to just ”be in the moment”
and to forget the photos
wouldn’t it be nice if we could
always ”be in the moment”
leave sugary evidence everywhere?
it would be utterly exhausting
only reserved for short rides through the air

everything is tacky burnt sugar
it’s not a Ferris wheel but old bumper cars
that you’re not supposed to bump
but where’s the fun in that?
sparks flying in the conductive ceiling
forming a complete circuit with the floor
surrounded by a current of sticky tackiness
and the buttery whiff of popcorn

you may ask: isn’t that more for movies
in this cinematic universe everything goes
sweet or salty, as long as it’s sparkly
carrying electric impulses
that send little particles flying wildly
into your faraway Faraday cage

Maija Haavisto has had two poetry collections published in Finland: Raskas vesi (Aviador 2018) and Hopeatee (Oppian 2020). In English her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in e.g. Moist, Capsule Stories, ShabdAaweg Review, The North, Streetcake, ANMLY, Eye to the Telescope, Shoreline of Infinity and Kaleidoscope.