Darkness spreads above the mountains 
like a plume of oil. Cool wind draws 

apart three-day clouds. Soon a carousel 
of stars in the moonless sky-bowl, some 

in formations we can name. Lying back 
toward midnight on the truck hood, 

we search for transient streaks of meteors. 
The ticking engine as it cools. The smell 

of cattle and rain-soaked hay. A coyote 
yips in the distance. 

Dew settles on our clothes. I rub the ridges 
on the back of your hand. 

Somewhere, the unseen asteroid dust.