Come out
he says and
look at this sky
i've never seen anything like it

Bleeding across
ebony velvet the
white fingers lick
up the night

no i
can't i say
trying to move my legs
thick like fence posts keeping me safe against my will

i waited for thunder
the loud, predictable boom
waited to feel the weight
of angels bowling

but the brilliant
electric poured out
silent searing strokes
that i watched across his beautiful face

come in
i say because
i know someone who really
did get struck by lightning and you never know

he looked a little sad
and walked further out and
quilt wrapped i turn away
because i'm not sure who is more safe