the light bulb blew out
in the lamp
next to the couch
a pop & a flash
& then
darkness
like one of the stealthier
members of the paparazzi
finally snapping a photograph
of death
fumbling through a drawer
in the dark
for a new one
i screwed it in
the old one
still very warm
though dead
in my hand
a black spot
on it
like a smudge
on the crown
of a skull
along w/something
that had come loose inside
pinging within
the glass walls
a $1 store death's head baby rattle
an obsolete cartoon idea
above no one's head
& the new bulb illuminating things
ten watts brighter
than the one before it
sharpening the clutter
the edges & mouths of corners
in the room a little more
how lucky we are for this
invention
that allows us to see the jaws
& shadows awaiting
& precariously stacked accumulations
of dull objects
how lucky we are
that it saves us from stubbing our toe
before the tag
is
placed
around
it