A Nick in the Sky
In the old days, the darkroom days,
we had to be so careful
not to crimp the film.
Proving that life mimics art, the moon cooperates. The poem was written first. *
* Photo by Michael Heavener.
* Photo by Michael Heavener.
a fingernail clipping of opaque silver,
after the film was completely dry.
In my student days,
long hours in the dark
rewarded me with cherished tones of gray.
I cried when those nicks appeared.
Tonight I walked out of the library
Into a world of pastel beauty.
A sunset of feathers and wisps.
But there—
there, just to the right
of that stand of trees—
a crimp, a fingernail,
a faint white crescent of waning moon
nicks my perfect sky.
Dedicate to Peggy Barnett, published poet and professional photographer, lover of nature, and friend to everyone.