Crouching in the dark
Amid creaky lawn chairs and open tailgates
My neck hairs bristle
with the late night expectation of wonder
This time, I say
will be the best one ever known.

My heart races all the way to Frankfurt
Eyes scan the open sky
For signs of gloriousness on the horizon
Then thunder, and light
The unfolding of a Chinaman's dream
In a dazzling display of superficiality

A blinding flash of color and sound and awe
Ash rains down in golden sparks
Leaving the acrid smell of gunsmoke
And the cavernous darkness
Of eyes that had just known light
Left wanting, left yearning, left needing

The show is over
They fly back home.
I'm tearless and just a bit confused.