The Vaquero and the Fire

Light goes out from it
in concentric circles

fading gradually
chiaroscuro

until it ends.
A lot of people

won’t venture
any further than

that last faint ring
and with good reason.

Darkness is strange
because so many

more things can
come out of it

than actually
live in it.

Lying here,
I know it’s unlikely

we’ll be set upon
by Lady Macbeth

riding a mountain lion,
but that’s where

the mind goes.
So, I’m grateful

for the fearless,
beautiful animals

posted at the last
edge of the light.

Every three hours
they trade the guard

and, knowing this,
the herd and I

can sleep.

–August 7, 2019