Nels Hanson’s most recent poem to appear here was Medic! (November 2017)

Lights
By Nels Hanson

Just now in your heart
a slender candle flame
rose high and fell, nearly
going out, only light in
the empty house. Wind
from a broken window
pane like a trapped bird
flailed against thin walls,
circling the four rooms
until swept-back wings
folded flat and slipped
out, the fire trembling,
then going steady, still.
Up and down a country
road dim wicks burned
brighter, all frail stars
again one constellation.