Lamp

by

I nabbed it from your throwing-out pile:
this ancient table lamp, stained shade, base
painted bubble-gum pink. Its light

was harsh in the sparseness
of your living room, you were moving anyway,
wanted another fresh start.

I glued a bright batik to the shade, repainted     
each rung of metalwork black,
switched the bulb

and stood it on my coffee table overlooking
the river, the silent line of poplars,
a lacework of snow.

All night it throws a hush over my bedlam
of books and empty mugs.
I wish that I could do the same for you

but you won’t let me, afraid
of what some TLC and softer lighting  
might reveal.