Paul spent the night
collecting the extra moonbeams
that fell to the ground.
He placed them in a cedar box
with two orcas carved in relief
upon the lid.
His plan was next morning
to braid the moonbeams
into Dora’s hair
so other might see
that loving glow he sees
when his eyes rest on her.
Paul overslept due to his late night
and Dora was out
before he woke
because it was a day of too many shadows
and the bronze bell’s call to church
rang a little bit hollow.
copyright © 2021 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 