The Morning Lights Outside The Kitchen Door... Poem by RIC BASTASA

must it be habit
that makes you turn off the light
outside the kitchen
at the break of day
when the birds start to
sing their songs

you save on electricity
in the same manner that you budget
your time and
money

i've tried it once
not putting off the lights from morning
till night

some early birds that pick the early worms
passing by the house
with closed doors and windows
with lights not switched off
think that i am
dead