writing Firmament [poem]

[Halfblood 364]

At night, I go outside and watch the sky.

With a glance, I see the stars, the Moon,

and an airplane.  I spot Mars, Jupiter,

the arm of the Milky Way.  I witness

satellites, comets, asteroids, the children

of Ptolemy.  I see bedtime stories, dreams,

wishes made in vain.

I see faces of friends and of family,

the memories of us living our lives,

the waning promises I made to each of them,

and my fears that greet me alone when I sleep.

At night, I gaze into the sky and I see

worlds that once were, and one that may never be.