odd dome

 in the dark before dawn

near portland’s west hills

a low cloud lit from below

hovers like an odd dome

eerie, disquieting not to know

what it is or how it came to be

out of a gray-cloudy day

help and support sometimes come

from on gray-cloudy day or week

of rejection disappointment

and from unanticipated sources

from people who have touched my life

but not yet allowed me to reach to them

they give without assurance of return

and leave me, mouth open and trembling at their generosity