How many of these lights
Belong to people that I’ve met?
People whose paths
Have crossed with mine
How many of these lights
Belong to little children?
Children who are afraid
Of the dark
How many of these lights
Aren’t supposed to be on?
Someone staying up late
Someone sneaking in early
How many of these lights
Will burn out?
Be tossed out
Before I die
How many of these lights
Will stay aglow?
How many will live longer
Than me?
How many of these lights
Belong to truly good people?
People with love and kindness
In their hearts?
How many of these lights
Belong to truly bad people?
Criminals, kidnappers,
And burglars?
How many of these lights
Belong to people
Who have made
Mistakes?
How many of these lights
Belong to people
Who have been mistreated,
Misjudged, or misunderstood?
I only have answers
To the final two questions
And the answer
Is all of them