Photo by Luke Tanis on Unsplash

Above there is an orange sky
Never darkness.
No stars.
I look from this window
remembering another
above which the Milky Way swathed
its stars over backyard trees.
Where moon could hang
full or slender, bright or misted.
Where  we counted starry movement
from season to season.
And night sky was as much
for discussion as were
birds at the feeder.
Now, trying positive
I look for real signs of night.
moon appears
pale and apologetic
as she fights that orange glow
to give moon’s always-promise.
And morning appreaches
with no blossoming blue.
Sunrise only happens when
the disc is almost risen.

January 2006