(By Sarah Deeb)

There’s a light on in the attic.
Though the house is dark and shuttered,
I can see a flickerin’ flutter,
And I know what it’s about.
There’s a light on in the attic.
I can see it from the outside,
And I know you’re on the inside… lookin’ out.

Central Message: Don’t give up hope, I know your’e looking out seeking freedom, there’s still light inside.

The attitude of the poem: The attitude is one of gentleness and support, that though your life may be dark like this house that is shuttered, there is light in the attic and that i know you’re looking out for light and for hope.

Shift: The main shift is the last line, which gives depth to the poem, that he’s not just talking about a house, but about a person and what someone is going through, and he captures that well by saying that the person is in the inside yet looking out.

My feelings: This poem is very descriptive, and very imaginative. It captures the light with the beautiful words of “flickerin’ flutter,” while positioning it not only in the house, but in the attic, the lowest part of the house. One gets a sense that this is an abandoned and gloomy house, but that there is still some light or life in there somewhere. When Silverstein then mentions that the person is inside the house, looking out, the full meaning of the words is revealed, that in the dark house lives someone hoping for light to come back in!

Is this a recommended poem? Yes, especially for those feeling hopeless! I can imagine such a poem inspiring people like in Syria and other places where they’ve lost everything, they can feel some hope knowing that there are others who understand what they’re going through and even in the darkest of times there is still light inside.