the way things are

in this room

makes it sound like

it's raining outside

but take a step out

to know it's not.

step out and see:

water in the fast-emptying can

utensils washed and to-wash

garbage bin filled and spilling.

but why step out

when the way things are inside

makes it sound like it's raining.

the vent up there

letting in more

light than air

and pent-up shadows.

down there

the low orange slow yellow light.

in front of it, the see-through glass.

inside it, steaming black tea.

behind all that, us

watching Dickinson

where she watches the eclipse

through smoked glass.

the black tea blots out

the yellow light

the way the moon blots out

the sun and leaves a lovering.

the way the way things are

blot out the way they can be.

the way love of the room

blots out the rain of more.

love, the only eclipse you can see

and not go blind.

~ ajay

2/12/2023