Orbit

And here, at last; the creeping mist wall

Grows milk-white clammy in the trees

To soften out the battering rain

That punches down plump on cat and tile.

And there, upon the grumbling sea

To pagan sighs of hushed relief

The dim grey tips of dawn's first breath

Embrace the day with life renewed--

And off! Into the brightest leaps

Of swallowtail skies and lambs in green

As all the world balloons and bursts

In joyful streaks of rich azure.

And soon, the evening wanders in

With pale damp hands to settle down

The zany verdent spurts of spring

That seem so garish after dark.

And out, across the continents

Where night has cooled away for hours

Dishevellers gulp the gin-spilt air

Then clasp their fumbled way to bed.

And further still, beyond the curve

In looping skeins of light, and black

The humming clouds of orbit craft

Are undisturbed, and yawing on.