by Charles Tomlinson

You tried to place a bag over the sun,

but it was made of plastic

and it melted to the surface

and created a stink that you couldn’t avoid.

What a foolish impulse

to think that you could

block out something so radiant

with something so dull and flammable.

Out of all the stars in the night sky,

one seems to shine a little brighter.

In your fear, you follow your impulse.

In shock, you think that you can play with fire.

I may not be the center of the universe,

nor of the solar system.

But my mind is the center of me

and my soul is strong enough to shine.