We watched
in horror as
smoke obscured
the sun
blanketing the sky
in a putrid
orange smog
once again
on lockdown
waiting
praying
for the impermeable
clouds to dissipate
worrying
wondering
our imaginations
raced in terror
the latest dose
of pollution
burned our eyes
irritated our lungs
inevitably leaving invisible
scars in the sky
Julia Masi (sometimes credited as Julia A Masi) grew up in New York City. She is currently spending time in the American Southwest roaming what’s left of the desert in search of poetic inspiration.