Dark

This house, for once,
is well lit. Got a few things
to do and I need
light in which to do them
although I prefer to do things
in the dark —
let the branches
scrape the windows, let the rain
patter down in irregular
bursts, let me close my eyes
and listen to these things,
wonder if I’m missing something.

But I’m awake before sunrise
or what might be sunrise today
if the sun comes through
these dense gray clouds —
whatever. I’m here before
the light which follows through
each day, after night, regardless
of a sunrise.

Now, there will be a sunrise today.
The radio says it’s certain
and I’m counting on it.
I’ve lit the house well to hold me
artificially safe.
But I still long for my bed and
the dark.
I count on the dark
to hold me still, keep me warm,
and protect me for
as long as it can.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
onward,
T