Sol 5.6

  1. I spent the night watching, star after star,

    at the hour of an impending setting and rising,

  2. when they journeyed on, a camel-driver’s chant behind some—

    —of them, each bound to the next with leather girths.

  3. Orion’s stride, when its figure was complete, was like

    the skins of vipers, or the weave of coats of mail.

  4. Jupiter hiding within a cloud was like

    a secret entrusted to the heart of one who tells all.

  5. Canopus, with the stars before it, seemed as though

    a shepherd behind his flock were keeping pace with them.

  6. When it rose from its station, I said, “A monk—

    standing long after a long bow.”

  7. Now Sirius the Crosser had appeared, as though she were

    the flicker of an eye with tears streaming down.

  8. By morning Orion stood on the western horizon,

    reeling like a drunkard fallen there.

  9. She began stretching her full arm-span, until it seemed

    she was told: “Measure the sky; span it with your arms.”

  10. Until Night answered the herald of its dawn,

    who had long called to one that could not hear.

Sol 5.6