that if we look through flames at people,

quite plainly we shall     see

(between eye and some star):

–

the comet’s flame is like our flames,

with the same nature:

the star’s blaze is a candle’s fire—

both can and we’ll be snuffed.

–

though the blaze be brief

and the fire steady

and because of a day of sunshine

breaking the night better

than overcast years,

be one of the stars,

give not to the fears.

–

we are now only ourselves

—never photographs—

—nor dreams—

—(isolated in time)—

so why look to sea

if ruffled hair

and disorders are all there will be?

instead leave it to others to look on our cowlicked Sundays

for though some stars somewhere are already dark, they burn brightly here.