Solarism

Oh, Sun, oh dragon!
Even with your face made black
Your hairs flair high like souls on crack
Over Zambia.

Strange sky tremendum!
Your million mile tongues of fire
Lick writhing space in holy ire
Over Africa.

Dread fire dancer!
You seem so mildly far away.
The sky’s so luminous but gray here
In America.

Originally written eight years ago, on June 21, 2001, when news and photos of a total solar eclipse, that day, appeared in the media. The path of the totality was over Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Madagascar.