This is February 1st but let’s not forget January. The month that brings in the new year. This year it has been a forgiving month–mild and with little snow. So  poet Valerie Quercia Prescott brings it all home with her poem.

January

The sky has fallen.

Brilliant and distinct—

a trillion tiny stars

as weighty

and

Light

as

my heart.

A universe

rests gently

on my porch.

I reach

wishing

to sift them.

To hear them

tinkle as bells.

But I am not God.

Still

I cannot

sweep

for the longing.

The staring.

The starring.

Perhaps

infinity is a loop

and a telescope might

see far

enough

to turn back

beneath my feet.

With hope I leave

a galaxy

by the door.

But stars

have their own

gravity.

And not even

Earth

can hold

what is light

When I come home,

they’ve returned

to the sky

– Valerie Quercia Prescott

_______________________________________________
To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to:
Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143.
dougholder@post.harvard.edu