On Waiting

2022 AbSciCon Creative Science Writing Contest
Third Place in Poetry

“On Waiting” by Annaliese Meyer

The sky should be on fire

They told me

As our backs grew damp with early dew

Every star should reach with wonder to our eyes

But the blackness does not burn

For the universe is in a footrace with light

And it is surely winning

And though the darkness remains

We listen

For with eyes pressed shut all sounds grow stronger

We shout, we send our signals crying

Convinced we are not alone in yearning for the light

Immense ears askance to waiting sky

And nothing yet.

We can hardly hear our own echoes.