Night light
Pink-grey light backlights the horizon, scattered radiation from the city far away.
Searchlight through my window as a car moves down the road;
Spotlight from my neighbor’s porch: they think we live in town.
Gray-green light from my daughter’s bedroom table—how can it be so bright?
Cold blue beside my son’s bed: clock lights red and diode green.
Sudden light flooding the driveway, sensing movement from the night
Non-penetrating light. Orion’s belt, flat against the sky.
Shiny light, the full moon amplified by the snow.
Lying in bed, waiting for quiet,
Too much light. Noisy light,
Pushing against my sleep,
Invading my dreams.
Mary Essary
Stow Road
