Lamplighter

Late at night

Approaching wee hours

The lamplighter headed out

His torch in hand

Oil jug in the other

He hurried to the first

Second and third

But right before reaching

The fourth burnt out lamp

He tripped and fell

The flame blew out

His knees scraped

He sat there a minute

Then hurried back to the third

Relit his torch

To light the forth lamp

Farther he walked

Now a bit slower

Yet much more determined

But right before reaching 

The sixth burnt out lamp

He lost his balance and fell

The oil jug cracked

Liquid seeped out

He sat there a minute

Then wrapped up the cracks

And relit the sixth lamp

He continued to walk

Even though he was tired

But right before reaching

The tenth burnt out lamp

He missed a stair and fell

His torch blew out

The jug cracked into pieces

He sat there a while

Gathered the pieces

Brushed himself off

And headed home-

To fill a new jug 

Relight a new torch

And light the very last

Burnt out lamp

---

written 2004