Lights Out

From my perch in front of the TV
I give the night’s first shout
“Are you kids listening to me?
 Please, turn your lights out!”

“I want some water.”  “I have to pee.”
“I didn’t brush my teeth.”
I try so very disparately 
To not let my anger seethe.

“You have been up there for over an hour,
What exactly have you been doing?”
The peaceful night starts to sour
The ogre inside is brewing.

“It’s past your bedtime, now get to sleep
And turn those lights out!”
I hear the little one start to weep
I’ll be going up there I have no doubt.

“It’s too hot.”  “I’m afraid of the dark.”
“I cannot find my Teddy.”
I restrain my next remark
Going up there I am ready.

When silence finally does arise
I wonder if all is okay
I go up and find a sleeping surprise
Turning out lights along the way.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Onclaud Avatar
December 29, 2011 at 11:05 AM
special cheers for you great win, joe! enlightening!..huggs!:)
Song Avatar
December 28, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Hi Joe...I completely appreciate this one! My youngest can't even be in the house at night without each and every light on! I love the energy you created as the parent '"attempting" to keep your cool as they push every button with ya. A wonderful write. Much enjoyed....My dad would march upstairs...get a ladder...then unscrew the light bulb! There just was no way to win with HIM! (I was writing, of course.) Hugs, Gwendolen
Brown Avatar
December 28, 2011 at 5:20 AM
Congratulations Joe. Love, Carol
Brown Avatar
July 22, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Congratulations Joe on your win in Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen's contest "Lights Out". Love, Carol
Johnson Avatar
July 21, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Great story that happens in every house with youngsters. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Arteaga Avatar
July 21, 2010 at 9:37 PM
aw very cute much enjoyed congrats n.n
Sweetheart Avatar
July 21, 2010 at 1:06 PM
Congrats Joe on your winning poem in the Lights Out contst.. another awesome write and victory my friend.. to enjoy.. with luv..
Devonshire Avatar
July 17, 2010 at 8:52 AM
Joe, another Souper convinced me it would be okay to post a quick anti-slam limericks contest. What do you think? I'm not taking pot shots at anyone directly, just the entire concept of "slam." Love, Carolyn
Devonshire Avatar
July 17, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Aw, the little ones may protest bedtime, but isn't it nice to find that "sleeping surprise," Joe? Very sweetly written from the heart of a loving father who sometimes deals with angst. Very nice! Love, Carolyn
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