The Family Business

The Family Business

This light isn’t going anywhere
for more than twelve hours,

but what if it did. Couldn’t we
befriend the darkness, carry

candles, slide headlamps over
our noggins and wristlamps

like corsages, like bright watches
over our hands. Placid, starred sky

can become the afternoon, jog
our dogs to the dark park. Take

advantage of the full moon, we
would start saying to children,

go out and play. No sunburns
at the night beach. White or silver

coats gleam from our shoulders,
and mom and pop fireworks shops

spring up on every corner. Go into
pyrotechnics if you want to make

a good living, son, be a fire builder,
remember that folks still like light.