Light

As he entered the room he pushed the oak door firmly against the wall trapping the shadows in a makeshift Tobelerone his hands frantic on the light switch Even during the hottest summers he declined the comfort of the shade of towering trees. Each room in his home had rows of light bulbs Candles flickered in every corner Neon tubes hummed in dazzling arrays The constant thrum of individual generators for each living space. At night thick slats of iron covered every window opening only with the touch of sunlight yawn Why do I whisper hello in my empty spaces he pondered his inner voice answering you know why He shivered as a draught of unknown origins invited the candles to sway in unison