atmospheric river

as i start the bacon

my mom puts a sliced roll in the toaster oven

but doesn't turn it on

she grabs a flashlight

and shines

as i lower the sump

into her flooded basement

i pull its hose 

hand under hand

as if climbing backwards

out the front door

into a home depot bucket

i toast the roll

i flip the bacon

i run outside and empty the first full bucket

down the driveway

slightly angled by request

toward the neighbor's yard

i butter the roll

i blot my bacon on a paper towel

i fry an egg and ketchup the top bun

i run outside for the second bucket

my mom's bacon is

nearly crispy enough

for her liking

though she claims for her safety

a mistake she commonly makes

as we eat

we chat about

chef driven movies

my dad's improved walking

the weak stream from the kitchen faucet

sylvia's mean children

the romance of gated communities

i empty bucket after bucket

but i have to leave

water slowly rising

in the orange