August 12 in the Nebraska Sand Hills Watching the Perseids Meteor Shower by Twyla Hansen

August 12 in the Nebraska Sand Hills Watching the Perseids Meteor Shower

by Twyla Hansen

In the middle of rolling grasslands, away from lights,

a moonless night untethers its wild polka-dots,

the formations we can name competing for attention

in a twinkling and crowded sky-bowl.

Out from the corners, our eyes detect a maverick meteor,

a transient streak, and lying back toward midnight

on the heft of car hood, all conversation blunted,

we are at once unnerved and somehow restored.

Out here, a...