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