Tremendously-harsh blue,
interrogation tool of our scary world.
Porch like a factory shop with sun.
Obsessions begin with these outdoor lights
everywhere, seeing nothing else.
Styles vary, shades of brightness
are abstract, differences disturb.
Why do they shine?
No one is watching.
No one is being watched.
Purposeless instruments of safety.
We watch our televisions.
And know nothing of our world,
A world ready to be played in,
especially on this cool night.
Perhaps a different take on Jingle’s Potluck theme, Our Home, Temple and Sanctum.
stillfugue 
#1 by danroberson on February 20, 2011 - 12:27 pm
We lock ourselves in, avoiding the light, like being underground, and finally emerging into sunlight. Why do we stay inside and hide? We know little difference between day and night. We should be enjoying the world outside that was made for us. Well written poem. Thank you.
#2 by Carl on February 20, 2011 - 6:43 pm
Thanks very much, Dan!
#3 by Jamie Dedes, all rights reserved on February 20, 2011 - 4:45 pm
You point a sharp mind at a seemingly harmless but poignant issue and ask a charged question. What is it about modern life that puts people in this mode? But, you are perfectly correct, Carl, the world is ready to be played. Ready and waiting, I’d say. Nice job … Bravo!
#4 by Carl on February 20, 2011 - 6:44 pm
Thank you so much, Jamie! I appreciate your comment.
#5 by liv2write2day on February 20, 2011 - 6:26 pm
Yes, we live vicariously while the world waits for us to come outside an play. I love this.
#6 by Carl on February 20, 2011 - 6:47 pm
Thank you so much, Victoria! I appreciate your comment.
#7 by Evelyn on February 20, 2011 - 7:04 pm
“We watch our televisions.
And know nothing of our world,
A world ready to be played in,
especially on this cool night.”
this took my breath away, especially the last line which brings you
SLAM right into the present…
#8 by Carl on February 21, 2011 - 6:47 am
Ah, yes, the present. Interesting. Thank you.
#9 by Marian on February 20, 2011 - 8:01 pm
excellent, carl, so true and really quite pathetic. not your poem, the (lack of) activity and connection to the world and community you describe. sigh.
#10 by Carl on February 21, 2011 - 6:48 am
Thank you, Marian. It is nice of you to comment.
#11 by kolembo on February 21, 2011 - 9:53 am
Super! Yes, particularly when you turn the poem at ‘…we watch our televisions…’ neon street light brought inside, colliding with images that separate oreselves from each other…very nice.
#12 by Carl on February 21, 2011 - 6:22 pm
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.
#13 by Mike Patrick on February 21, 2011 - 11:26 am
The light doesn’t bother me. It can’t get in past the triple blinds and my commercial-grade tinfoil hat.
#14 by Carl on February 21, 2011 - 6:24 pm
I’ve been looking for triple blinds! Thanks for your comment.
#15 by Jingle on February 21, 2011 - 11:48 am
agree with Jamie Dedes.
thought provoking.
A++
#16 by Carl on February 21, 2011 - 6:25 pm
Thank you, Jingle!
#17 by seabell on February 21, 2011 - 9:16 pm
If we don’t know, why should they shine?
#18 by Carl on February 21, 2011 - 10:16 pm
Yes. Right on. It’s not the same as the tree in the forest thing because the tree belongs there. Thanks for stopping in and commenting. I appreciate it.
#19 by kolembo on February 25, 2011 - 3:54 am
Found this again! it’s still very good! Duh…
Actually I’ve been noticing light all week. Halogens, neons, the backlight on my phones, LEDs, headlights, naked bulbs…all of them!
#20 by Carl on February 25, 2011 - 6:40 am
Thank you, K! Yes, I understand, once conscious of them, they seem to plague us.