See this snapshot
of an aluminum lawn chair
at dusk?

Late evening light
especially in summer
dignifies plastic chairs,
rusted cars, the bloated cow
killed by lightening.

People, too, gain radiance
this time of day. The homeless
pPair walking toward their rag nest,
the child playing with dust balls
on the linoleum floor.

To me, it is a true light,
as true as the sun at noon,
but cruel the way midsummer
minutes sanctify the mass
of flies, the wretched couple,
the unloved, untended child.

War photographers know this
Phenomenon. I wonder
what they call it.

8/1/02