I am asleep, dreaming a terrible dream, so I awake,
and want to call my father to ask if, just
for a short time, the dog can come to stay with me.

But the light next to my bed won’t light:
I press and press the switch. Touching the phone,
I can’t see to dial the numbers. Can I learn how to keep

the dog in my apartment? In the dark, trying
a second light, I remember
I always knew these machines would fail me.
                                                                                                     Then I awake,

remember my father and the dog are dead,
the lights in that room do not go on.

. .