The low shimmering light—a chill and a slight haze
this sunset was lit four billion years ago, and still it glows
the river below tells its ancient story to the rapids
the squirrels have taken to their branches
and the songbirds have forgotten their songs
the moon aches in anticipation of the night
early stars begin to arrive and take their seats above
and satellites leave home to wander heaven’s streets
as darkness seeps into the cracks and low places
if you took a photo of us, it’d say we came here together
but accidents like this are more divine
soon I’ll watch you walk away, and soon we’ll both forget
for the moment, though—at least for the moment
each of us is here, and together we are perfect.
Author’s Notes:
I don’t have many thoughts about this one, other than to say my goal was to work a moon into the poem for moon landing day and I did succeed. I like how it focuses in on a particular moment, and just sort of lets it hang there.
Favorite Line:
“the moon aches in anticipation of the night”
Most Confused Line:
“the river below tells its ancient story to the rapids”