He loves watching that lone night light across
the far mountain…eyes blind in winter so
black he’d believe that long high range was lost
had he not studied it in daylight. Knows
no one who lives there within that gold-fire
glow. Imagines it’s her…his future bride.
He’ll go find her when he’s grown up and hired
at the lumber camp…walk with her…confide
his love…promise a good home. His mom calls
from the door…urges him back from the wind
so cold it burns…but he can’t hear…mind falls
through ebony air…heart aches…tears descend
then freeze on his raw cheeks…oh…what’s wrong with me
he gasps…drowning in dark…as if lost at sea…
Roger Armbrust
September 1, 2020
