I fell into an unbidden sleep
in my chair, winter’s late afternoon

light through the north-facing window
dim as underworld glow. I woke

soon, wondering whose life this was,
and saw, in the open palm

on my lap, this world’s aura, its soft
star-water bathing familiar skin.

So I saw who I’d been, whose hand
had conducted comfort and pain

in love’s name. I’d stood
in the hard glare of the midday sun’s

photic rain, and not seen
what I’d done. In this dark

room with no one, I raised that hand
and waved to my children.

-Jed Myers