at the far recesses
of space and third grade
on earth’s shortest day
the astronauts shuffle out
into the moonscape playground
and seem to lift off
as snowflakes fall
rising up to the sky
bouncing weightless
against each other
dodging comets
ducking asteroids
independent of the mother ship
and mission control
in extra vehicular activity
boots kicking moon dust
mittens sifting starlight
astronauts
bundled up and
bound to explore
free floating
unfettered
the universe
untethered
at least until the bell rings

From A Decent Reed (Tamafyhr Mountain Press, 1998).
Used with the author’s permission.