before the last light goes out

it was cold

milk

and a small white bread

sandwich

that filled you.

a stack of cookies.

you alone

at the kitchen table.

midnight.

the house asleep.

your mother on the stiff

blue couch.

the rooms full of

brothers and sisters.

even dog

is curled on the rug.

out.

but not you, you

have books to read,

to think about,

lines to write

in your spiral notebook,

before you sleep,

before you sleep.

before the last light

goes out.