When the Spotlight Flickers Out

I snapped a joke and sent it into the dark,

pixels blinking like fireflies trapped in glass.

No buzz, no crackle, just the hollow glow

from my phone's face reflecting lonely.

The room held its breath, dim lamp flickering,

like it wished for something better to watch.

I swiped through my own joke again,

searching for the punchline that got lost,

but all that came back was a shadow,

a laugh that forgot how to live.