Trail of Stars

it's 3:35 a.m. and I'm watching a trail of stars across the sky

35 years ago I did the same, lying on a gravel road, knowing no car would come

the gravel still warm as though it was trying to hold onto summer

but fall was already looming

staring at those stars, though, it didn't matter

not for the gravel, not for me

infinity erased all the human concerns and I felt weightless

and alone, but alone was ok, loneliness the most human of concerns

social creatures that we are

35 years ago I didn't have to remember any voices

now, staring at a trail of stars that may or may not be the same

I can't remember the voices

some left on the infinity journey, some just disappeared

the shape of being alone different, it's not ok now

because human concerns are not so easily left behind

inside my mucked-up skull

I'm not trying to hold on to summer, I'm just trying

to find the damn thing

and the cold light from the trail of stars

just keeps casting shadows