The Vaquero and the Fire

Light goes out from it

in concentric circles

fading gradually

chiaroscuro

until it ends.

A lot of people

won’t venture

any further than

the last faint ring

and with good reason.

Darkness is strange

because so many

more things can

come out of it

than actually

live in it.

Lying here,

I know it’s unlikely

we’ll be set upon

by Lady Macbeth

riding a mountain lion,

but that’s where

the mind goes.

So, I’m grateful

for the fearless,

beautiful animals

posted at the last

edge of the light.

Every three hours

they trade the guard

and, knowing this,

the herd and I

can sleep.

August 7, 2019