Freda Downie



                   Starlight


Three kings embark on a long journey
Under the dry acres of the moon,
Whose light is well disposed,
But of no special significance.

It is the nailhead light
Of one sparky planet
That draws them on—
Although at times,
One king thinks the star
Has the look of crayon
Drawn on dark paper;
While another thinks it
Looks no more than a sliver
Of silver pasted on indigo;
And the third king, observing
A certain unsteadiness,
Thinks the heavenly guide
Trembles on its cotton thread.


Freda Downie, Collected Poems, Bloodaxe Books, 1995.