Before Thanksgiving Day

Before Thanksgiving Day
 
On porches, rooftops, shrubs,
lights flash on
shattering the darkness.
We do not know those
who live in these houses,
but they cannot wait for
the November holiday to pass.
 
So like our excited pups,
insisting on being first
to dart out the door,
barking their way
through a year
of leaves.
 
But am I patient and long-suffering?
Do I cling to night-deep darkness,
skunks, the Russian war on Ukraine?
No.
Still, I am in shock to see
lights twinkle in this unstable world
now.

Pat,

I wonder if you can connect the dogs to something in S3.

I am not a fan of rhetorical questions (just my preference).  Is there a way to "show" rather than tell the following lines?

But am I patient and long-suffering?
Do I cling to night-deep darkness,
skunks, the Russian war on Ukraine?
No.

I think the "war" language (S3) makes a connection to "shattering" in S1.  I like it.

I would cut "now" of the last line.

Nice poem

Todd

I've already been working on Stanza 3.  
I thank you. Confirmation.