Poetry

Eclipse

‘Look at the sunset,’ they said. ‘Isn't it beautiful?’
But when I turned, it had already sunk.

‘Look at the sunset,’ they said. ‘Do you see it?’
I squinted, trying to peel its flame from the sky.
Then a cloud blew it out.

So they tied a knot around the sun and anchored the rope to the ground.
One long, orange day followed.

The rope frayed, the sun ballooned away and darkness swallowed the sky.

Cowering in silvery shadows, I turned.
The moon lifted my chin.

Lucy Smith