A Light in the Attic
isolation
lyric poem
gentle
intimate
There's a light on in the attic. Thought 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.
A Light in the Attic - context Summary
Published 1981
This short lyric appears in Shel Silverstein’s 1981 children’s collection A Light in the Attic. It describes seeing a small light in an otherwise dark, shuttered house and imagining someone inside "lookin' out." The poem offers a simple, evocative image that suggests presence, curiosity, and a quiet desire for connection without elaboration. Its brevity and plain language make it immediately accessible to young readers while inviting gentle speculation.
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