We measure the light by our phones
alerting us to the revelry in the skies
jet engines rumble
in our heads
passengers shuffle papers between
layovers perhaps
unable to sleep
preoccupied by an elbow
hanging over the armrest
just a bit too far — even in my head
I’m anxious —
jigsaw puzzle bruises groan in purple
Instead I look to her
radiant bands in her palm
clouds dripping salt water taffy
between our fingers
somewhere a fire
extinguishes ordinary evenings
grape jelly jet fumes
spread over exhausted toast
& us with sticky hands on a black night
creating our own light.