aurora shield
without the swirls, draping sheets
and dancing colors
this time I was less captivated
by the eerie magic of aurora
but more impaled by the raw power
of these stiff probes of hazy light
that arch from horizon to horizon
battle-strength powers enclosing me
as earth’s magnetic field defends
its helpless life forms
should a weakness or break occur
within that spherical shield
the sun’s tantrum would – will –
engulf us in fiery fury unimaginable
