THEN AND ONLY THEN

when the only damn sky can’t make up its mind
sundown says this whole day is better left behind
then and only then
when someone else’s cadillac is somewhere on the long road back
then and only then

little red bird in a roadside tree
call upon his good nature, agree to disagree
then and only then
when i have wings to elevate and fly over the interstate
then and only then

when the color of the clouds is like a rosy glass of wine
and at no other time

hubcaps in the sun, shining like the sea
shadows have grown as long as they’ll ever be
then and only then
when from their stations stars do fall in waiting hands to catch them all
then and only then
then and only then