The Crowd Goes Wild

All last night,rain didn’t so much fall
as dash itself against the world,
thick and fast,
the way the sound of a few people clapping
builds to an audience ringing with applause.
Something about a rainy night
when we’re at home
tucked into beds
with books to read–
I feel clever
and prosperous, to have landed
us here, in lives so warm
and well-fed, with such thick blankets and soft pillows,
double-hung windows and Christmas lights.
Even the cat is comfortable.
For a few minutes, on the edge of sleep,
I feel like all that applause is for
what a good job I’ve done.