as we went to head into town

leaving our little adobe house

moving toward the door

i said

we still have one more light to turn off before we go

response was

a pause and silent moment

then

look up

it was so bright and streaming through

not used to such a brilliant sun

shining down on me

inside

complete shift

—

‘attention, if sudden and close, graduates into surprise;

and this into astonishment; and this into stupefied amazement.’

—

new mexico, usa, may 2026