Incident Along Fantasy Way Idea Crisis Things are quiet tonight -- Too quiet. There is a severe inspiration shortage. Downtown is silent and dark, With rolls of sidewalk stacked in the parking lots. Store windows are empty And none of the signs say anything. I try making noise But the echoes are only echoes. Two people are conversing on a street corner: "Hey, what's happenin', man?" "Nothin'. What's happenin' with you?" "Nothin'. What's happenin' with you?" "Nothin'." Back and forth endlessly. Most of the newsracks on the next corner are empty. A couple have blank papers And one headlines "NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS" Over a full-page picture Of a Smile Face. My favorite DJ is on the radio Announcing that his station will be playing elevator music Until further notice. Finally I conjure up a press card And inquire at a police station. The desk sergeant looks up from his crossword puzzle And says that the last several days have passed "Without incident." So it looks like I have nothing to write about This time. Thomas G. Digby written 2315 hr 8/16/74 entered 1645 hr 2/27/92