we huddle for the blazing
man-made strident colored stars
shot with cannons
propelled by rockets

they last seconds
then dissipate like apologies

we sign off on the noise
on costs and damages
through habit or hunger
for diversion

wouldn’t we do better to love a face   any face   a dog’s

This article appears in August 2020.

Natasha Sajé is the author of three books of poems, including Vivarium, a Book of Literary Criticism; Windows and Doors: A Poet Reads Literary Theory; and Terroir: Love, Out of Place, a memoir forthcoming this year. Her work can be found at www.natashasaje.com.