Night Rounds

I go through the house

turning off lights, turning

down the heat

putting the house to bed . . .

Outside, the rain

has settled in for the night,

Inside, others

head towards sleep . . .

Far away

my children tend their own orbits —

I have signed over

the ownership of their peace . . .

Here at home

the soft night light

radiates out

enfolding us all

in its embrace.

©Wendy Mulhern

March 2, 2014