Big Sky

Charcoal smudge
and ochre-stained cotton buds line the open eye
scanning ghost grey and brown wrinkled skin.
Smile.
Hopeful tears explode;
white tears evaporate in the silence of the day;
in every way
the earth whispers retreat into evening grace.
Wide ground opens arms
as far as sight can be.
Trust gathers memories.
Hand-in-hand wander
to sky,
to cloud, to sky.