Dimming

Souza was the first to go,
then Bert,
then Bert’s wife,
then Mark,
then Joe,
then Joe’s wife.

Lights dimming, burning out
all over the neighborhood,
darkness descending,
settling,
stilling talk-story shouts,
taunts,
laughter.

Visitors remark on the quiet.
It’s so peaceful.
The wind in the ironwood.
The birds.