When Long-Hidden Skies Are Clear

The stars look strange. Out of tents,
The visitors seem impressed
At first, gawking and asking

About the constellations,
And is that the Milky Way?
But then they’re done. They’re content.

They can go home and exclaim
About how bright the stars were
In the desert, so many,

Such clear air. And they saw them.
But it’s chilly just to stand
And watch nothing happening

Silently. The universe
Is boring. Back in the tents.