Twenty Feet of Sky

It has happened numerous evenings
that my arrival was late
the sky black
illuminated by the sparks from stars

I would not have seen them
as the roof of my car
and the thick roof of my mind
kept me from looking up

If it were not for the 20 foot walk
from car to home door
I would have entered my
encasing house and encasing habits
missing being again impressed
by zillions of years...

I gazed skyward to see the dark deep blanket
and the adamantine twinkling facets...
and if only for a moment I paused...
Between the cedar on my left
and the roof line on my right
where heaven was striped naked and beautiful

Those visuals zapped me from skull to toes
happening in an instant
I linked with ancestors on all continents
with astronauts kicking dust
on the moon

I saw that ancient unending image
Pausing...deeply breathing
remembering my origins
again recognizing my destination
there in twenty feet of sky

G.J.G. 03/02

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