Eclipse

my first crude telescope at ten.

Delighted folks back home, watching

a bright white ball behind swaying palm leaves,

rendering red on lunar eclipse day.

They took turns watching

enticed, peering at craters, shadows, and stars, 
on that night,

as I stood back, proud, of my invention.

Two decades since, on Saturday,

I sip hot mocha reading
news of the solar eclipse to show up
Show up and eclipse my eclipse

the face of the imminent

Wife's pregnancy and me changing jobs

to move to Charlotte, far away from home

With them in every moment and thought

Eclipsed by circumstance
I yearn to witness the event
Of a bright star revealing itself

A  solar eclipse, throwing a spectacle

On a regular day is worth the chance

even as my required presence and help

my wife needs, got eclipsed by circumstance.

I nonetheless cannot help but think of

my unborn son to share the amazement

with, next time , he will be seven

when the unevenness eventually smoothens

for sunshine and starry nights

And days with breeze and 72 weather

With dried leaves on the ground

Is worth the wait trading a mirage

As my cafe mocha keeps losing heat

I await the shadows growing longer

the moon getting in Sun's way,

my son getting in mom's way.