up the mountain road at first light
reds and yellows already peck

and freckle the greens of trees
on the road an eclipse of moths

bodies and wings the color of dried leaves
thousands of them

crazed in their choreography
scattered along the side

shattered into piles
broken beyond belief

we remain
life-bruised

and life-healed
and despite all attempts

at comfort and routine
we still wild

at the night
we still wail

for the new light