Perseids

Twice, I padded outside

Walked past my neighbor's house on the right

The street light at my back, but cupping my eyes with my hands anyway.

Craning my neck to look up at the sky

Waiting for my eyes to adjust, focusing in the dark

Wishing those wisps of clouds to go away.

Did you see me, first at just past midnight

Then four hours later, again

Standing in the middle of the street in pajamas and flipflops?

I was hoping to make a dozen wishes

But given old eyes, or too much manmade light, or cloud wisps

Only one was to be had.

It will have to do.

My footsteps were noisy, crunching acorns and leaves

On my way to the door, trying not to wake the dreamers.