Perihelion Pantoum

Today Earth is at perihelion. It’s hard to believe we’re closest to the sun. Air hangs damp.

It’s hard to believe When sky hums gray, Air hangs damp, And doves refuse their dule.

When sky hums gray I turn this direction to see live things But doves refuse their dule And perch in isolation around the corner.

I turn this direction to see live things, Glimpse only a stranger From this perch in isolation. Earth flies nearest its star.

I glimpse only a stranger At a distance from me. Earth flies nearest its star: Earth is at perihelion.