NAUTILUS

The other night the clouds before the moon
looked like a nautilus
light spreading in concentric rings across the chambers
Life itself huddled at the center,
Bright as a reflection of the sun.
Tonight the clouds are hiding something
Running in parallel lines of alternating
dark and not-so-dark.
The aurora borealis broods impatiently
and if I wait just long enough
it will show itself
But for what would I see the sky erupt,
alone?
How could I explain in plain English the colors I saw?
As it is I'm a hunter splashed with the taste
Dark in my hair and moonlight on my face
The faint brine of aurora on my lips
I retreat without a single momento
Inside the house, the moon tiptoes in uninvited.

© Darcy Stumbaugh, May 12, 2001
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