By chance we sat close that night as the light
faded, leaving that just-before-rain spirit
pervading the air with nature's answer
to expectations of brilliant designs
soon to fill the heavens with their display
of ruthless radiance fused with honor,

and when the first boom crashed, then you honored                                                    
the hot pursuing trail of blazing light
by squealing with delight in a display
of faux-female mystique while the spirits
of that just-so spot atop your head, designed
to muddle my mind, silently answered

longings I felt when your eyes sought answers
to my quick withdrawal-- No, I honor  
you too much to indulge secret designs--
but the fury of sound melted the light
nascent in dark orbs as we tasted spirits
of sulfur from the forgotten display's

willful efforts to prune our own display--
happy intrusions ordained to answer
pride bursting from our bodies' caged spirits--
national prompts calling, Present! Honor
the ones privileged to die for the light
reflected deep in the inner design

of her still questioning eyes designed
in palpable deference to displays
emasculate now in the lessened light,
overcome by the thickened smoke-answer
overflowing our lungs with no honor
for imagined sanctities of spirit,

and then the sky tore, releasing spirits
in sudden gallons naturally designed
to drown mystical visions in honor
of reality, the potent display
inherent in terrestrial answers--
non-reflective of superior light.

when introspection answers to design,
when spirit surpasses worldly light,
then displays of honor must burst their forms;

must give way to neck-chilling encounters
with an intangible, marvelous truth.