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LIGHT BULB CONSPIRACY

Darker and darker every day
Darn light bulbs keep burning out
One after another, mysteriously -
Could it be
A light bulb conspiracy?

Wednesday, one of the two in the bathroom fixture
Flashed brightly for an instant, then went dead
Its twin will die any day now, without a doubt
Like an old widower who soon follows his wife

Just last week, out on the patio

Light's been out awhile, but the corroded socket inside
Came apart when the old bulb was unscrewed
Whole fixture itself will need replacing

Then the garage bulb was next
That bare bulb right in the center of the garage ceiling
Unbelievable - the heavy darkness in there
Without that light

The same day, the one over the table gave up the ghost
Strange now, to look up from my plate
Black burn smudge inside the dead white bulb

On Friday afternoon
The upstairs hall bulb popped and sparked
So suddenly it could scare me witless
Makes me wonder . . .

And just now, with no warning
The front porch light failed to respond
To the usual nightly flip of the switch by the door
Waiting moths collide in the darkness there

Darker and darker every night
Dark out there, dark in here
I ask: Aren't there any more bulbs?
My voice sounds small against the looming dark

Besides, I already know that
The box where the spares are kept
On the utility room shelf is empty
And now it's dark in there too

Learn more about this author, Olivia Cassio.
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