
On Missing the Perseid Meteor Shower
I didn’t have it in me; not this year.
Instead, I dozed in dreamless sleep. Lights on,
Heartsong silenced, dreamscapes dashed by TV
Sounds, flickers, surfeit of nothingness squared.
Meanwhile, high above me, Earth’s atmosphere
Was sparking falling stars. Now night’s gone,
And morning dreams of what I failed to see
Are only flicked off matches when compared
With what I’ve seen before: Perseid spears
That pierced my heart and even rose-bright dawn
With streaks of wonder, etched in memory
Of when we drove across the state to stare.
But no, not this year. It wasn’t in me.
You lie! It IS there. Next year you will see.
You can listen to me read it here:
https://soundcloud.com/benwhitepoetry/on-missing-the-perseid-meteor