fractured clouds 

a waning crescent moon

to the east, 

venus bright in 

southern skies 

offered little light 

for a three AM walk; 

air cooled by 

passing rain showers, 

I dreamed of 

sleep, 

my eyes heavy 

as night 

but open like 

fractured clouds. 

Poem © 2009 by R. Burnett Baker 

Ink, colored pencil drawing by R. Baker, 1977,

digitally colorized 2009.