Jupiter Rising

It is a soft, velvet night; quiet,
only cat at my feet, old brindled cat,
purring, as luxurious as the breeze
like a kiss on my cheek.

The clouds of pulled gray wool
trail over the sky which covers me,
cradles me, like the gentle cupped
hand of a mother who loves.

Between fingers of clouds: stars.
Sirius, Arcturus, Mira, Aldebaran,
eyes of light in the black.
Mira they say is the Wonderful Star.

To the East, Jupiter is rising,
my heart is full and Jupiter is rising
like a great, fierce, unblinking fire
in the dark.

The stars do twinkle, but Jupiter
does not.  He will move across the
sky, as I sleep, behind the tooth
of the mountain, and then beyond.

Polaris is the guide for the body.
I will follow Jupiter, unblinking.
Jupiter is rising, grand, unchanging,
and with him, my soul.

-- Amy Sterling Casil