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Just one room grew dark.

I noticed the shadows fall from my bright room,

a thin line beneath the door

where light no longer slipped through.

Someone knocked 

after something strange,

just when I wondered

what could have happened.

They slept so early tonight, I thought.

Oh… it’s only five.

Sun already sinking 

beautiful dusk, purple and gold.

I opened the door.

He stood there smiling soft,

and asked if he could borrow my bulb 

my only one,

my little sun

that kept my room alive.

He said he had a wife,

a small princess with sleepy eyes,

and they needed light tonight.

And I — just me — alone.

I felt something warm inside,

Yes, I thought, why not share?

Let their room glow bright 

I will sit with dusk,

I will sit with night.

It’s all right.

They promised a new bulb tomorrow,

promised they would return mine too 

oh, if only promises were as bright

as light itself.

I stood tall upon a chair,

while he held his phone torch

steady like a second moon,

and I gently loosened the bulb,

placed it soft in his open palm.

His room lit up like morning 

and mine fell into shadow.

But strangely,

my heart became

just a little brighter.