METEORITE AT MBOZI


Each person who sat astride
its rusty back to have their
picture taken, legs hanging down
into the pit, must have
briefly thought this thing flew shining.

Some took a knife and
shaved a slice of nickel,
disregarding the familiar warning
if everyone does that one day
nothing will be left.

The first thing you notice
is my sister's smile,
then the iron shoulder she rests
upon, and her stick brown limbs
after the malaria had gone.

A great continent surrounds her
with its solid rolling ocean,
while other aerolites dart
between planets searching
like cobras for their mate.