Glassless in the expectant backyard
back to the sun, I waited for darkness
the day obscured
the voices online expressed wonder, searched for words, felt
in the house the light was low, but I could not rest
I walked room to room floor to floor minute after minute
as totality swept over the land
a sense of being not alone, but rather
in the company of all whom I have known
the living and the dead, seized me
not being pursued, but being surrounded embraced
lifted up by unseen faces and voices known and loved
tears swept from eyes that had not seen
at last to a crescendo of fullness
no need to take food again
and mind and heart filled to all with all that could be needed
and then, the sun calmly brightened by the window
through the glass
I stopped and for an instant, saw.
(After the eclipse April 8, 2024).
[Photo: Nasa website, Photo of the Day]