There was once a light bulb
That illuminated the room.

Its voltage tore through my skin,
But I smiled through the searing pain.

Time wore it down
Because He gripped too tightly-
And it began to flicker.

It would grace me with its lovely presence,
Stingily and briefly,
Then drape me in darkness the next moment.

The intervals graduated and distanced.

I was beginning to think that I would never see the light again.

Then the day came
When the light bulb consumed itself whole,
Along with all the light that it brought.

I was right,
But I did not want to be.