Totality

It's early April. Only a few more days
till the day when the Moon, passing 
between the Sun and Earth, 
completely blocks the face of the Sun.  

The heavens will darken 
as if it were dawn or dusk. 
The heavens will darken ominously 
as if it were the beginning or end of time.

According to geoscientists, 
tidal stress increases during a new 
moon, a condition associated with 
a total solar eclipse.  

With all these constellations
of planetary and other movement,
tsunamis could be spreading 
right now through tectonic plates.

We're warned not to turn
our eyes directly toward the Sun.
It could burn earthquakes 
right into our brains.

Instead, we look into its reflection 
on viewing mirrors. The very trees learn
how to break it apart into hundreds 
of bright thumbnails on the ground.