The Eclipse (1975)

I remember that hot July night
we sat huddled on the highest hill
in West St. Paul, pulling blankets
tight against the relentless assault
of mosquitoes, despite the humid heat.
And we watched as the Moon eclipsed
planet Mars. For forty minutes, the Moon
loomed, blood-red, a counterfeit Mars,

so close to our questing eyes, our minds
were deceived. We reached out to you, Mars!
With our hearts, we reached out –
stretching toward you, yearning for contact!
Then, the moment passed, and the Moon
was once again just the Moon, and we were….