I untangle the stubborn, knotted string —
the dead bulbs snap between my thumbs.
Nothing glows.
Spheres of colour reflect only absence,
an empty chair,
a chain of unbroken silence.
The tree is decorated,
yet vacant,
dressed only in memories.
I cannot find the light.
I cannot find the light.
Stephanie Hurley is a writer and English teacher based in Manawatū, New Zealand. She is passionate about all things creative; in particular, using writing to examine the world around her. Her work has been published in Tarot, Mote, Chortle, The Belladonna Comedy, and fiftywordstories.com.