After

Stars are undraped, then vanish again. The water drips slower and slower as the trees dry. All afternoon it rained, and then evening brought a burst of sunlight. A blond kid brought pizza, then walked slowly back to his car as though bemused by the day's last light. Fed, I waited for darkness and went outside. Now and then a bit more rain would fall, but the storm was surely ending. The air grew colder. Now the night is still, no hawk or owl to break the silence, or fill that vacancy where the rain was. Yet nothing seems distant— not even those stars that flash and vanish.

( Sunday Verse )