today i am too sad to close my door
the warm glow of the light from the kitchen reminds me im safe, like the nightlight i slept with until 8th grade
i pretend im not sad but i am
when my mother walks by my door ill engage in plesantries from the dark of my room
wasnt i pathetic to need a nightlight so long?
arent i pathetic now to need it again?
reassure me for a second:
tell me im not broken
please dont turn on my light
i cant stand the brightness
if you look hard enough under it you can scrutinize my sins
dont turn on my light --- but dont leave my doorway
dont close my door
im not ready to be alone quite yet















