The stars here
are still

meaningless &
free

of the kind of
constellating

stories
that control us.

‡

There are no forms
of gods

to remind us of
our place

only
illegible specks of light.

‡

Even here
amidst

the makeshift
pools & gardens

safe
from solar exposure

encased within
our aging

magnetic
particle shield

this is exile.

‡

Historically speaking
we gave up

long ago

a failing
ptolemic geometry
for

the uncertain future
we inhabit

under an unfixed sky

courtesy of
out of spec

atmospheric harvesters

& standard issue
pressure suits.

‡

With no
transmissions

& no supply drops
forthcoming

what began as an
exploratory

value assessment
with

ad hoc
in situ processing

has atrophied

into a permanent
avant garde

survival operation.

‡

This is it.

: : : : :

DAN HOY is the author of THE DEATHBED EDITIONS (Octopus Books, forthcoming) and other collections. He contributes to the multidisciplinary collective blog Montevidayo, and his personal site is thepinupstakes.com.