Halley's Comet

I was reading a newspaper somewhere
about some scientists feeling concern
over all the light pollution.  We burn
off enough light to make the comet rare.
This was kind of hard for me to bear.
Most of my life I've waited my turn
to see what Twain was born under return.
In general people don't seem to care.
I once met what I took for an old bum
standing and looking up at the street lamps.
He said you can't see stars in the city.
The only place that you can see stars from
is back in the alley shadows.  He camps
back there, watching stars, needing no pity.

                published in For the Love of Death, the early years, 2nd ed., S.I.N., 1993.