The Afterglow
(A Very Temporary Study in Red, Black, & White)

From behind the Burros,
running north as far as the eye can see,
a broken band of narrow clouds hangs
just above the horizon.

The thinner parts glow red,
rivaling the ruby taillights of the traffic
heading west towards Tyrone.

The thicker parts swirl
rust and charcoal
into their darkest cores.

Not far above all this,
in the second day of its sprouting,
a fine, cocked crescent shines pure white,
suspended in the deepest blue…
imperceptibly setting.