there are no stars tonight

There are no stars tonight.
We see only clouds and
hear the storm gathering
on the edge of town like
bandits in a Western.

There are no stars tonight,
so we say, waiting for rain,
listening to the thunder,
cosmic talking drummers
telling an old, old story.

There are no stars tonight,
but there will be stars –
stars outshine storms;
light beats clouds every time:
paper, rock, scissors.

Peace,
Milton