Control Switch    by  Gloria B. Yates

he

sits holding the control switch loosely
in his right hand
not watching TV
watching her

inane laughter fills the room
but she
is not laughing
she's waiting

soon he falls asleep
lets the switch drop from flaccid fingers
gently she takes it

he sleeps on      slowly
she softens sound in stages
cautiously
now

silence
and the long day
drawls to its close.

© Gloria B. Yates