what's that blue thing doing here

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the sky was this fantastic irridescent sapphire tonight
I was reminded of evenings spent in Seattle
laying in the grass after the sun had set over the olympics
watching that blue thing happen

lovers leaving the park
the attraction they came for finished
in the shadow of the black hole sun
ours was just beginning

the edge of the mountains afire
with the last bits of orange from the setting sun
the sky would deepen and darken
developing into richer and richer blue
moving through sapphire to indigo
as the sparkle of planets then stars
would dot the sky

we'd pick them out one by one
as they appeared
huddling in the chill night air
sometimes calling them by name
cassiopea or the twins
orion with rigel and beteljeuse
the horns of taurus and aldarbaran
other times making up our own names
laughing at our silly interpretation
of pots and pans in the sky

walking in the mission tonight
sutro tower was lit by a thin band
pale orange, the vestige of sunset
the rest of the sky doing the blue thing
cerulean to azur to teal
on through royal to cobalt
skipping navy going straight to
ultramarine, deep dark like the ocean
on a clear blue day

i can't tell if the sky is getting bluer
developing like a photo
in the finishing tray in the dark room
or am i just more and more moved
as i experience it
a curtain of color, lit from behind
almost electric

the thinnest crescent from the new moon
cuts like a beacon in the blue
i stop in my tracks
in awe at this stretch of sky
unmoving on the sidewalk
as if swimming in the blueness above

The New Rules by Dave Eggers (reposted here for your information)

THE NEW RULES

I don't know why it came down to me to tell you about this, but anyway, here goes: if you don't buy at least ten books a year, you'll be struck by lightning, or maybe a bus. It's the new rule. Yeah. You'll probably be sent a more official notice in the mail pretty soon, but for now, you're hearing it from me. Ten books a year, or the bus or lightning, each of them very painful and likely deadly. Is the rule a bit harsh? Well, maybe. Some people might think so, but then again, those people won't be with us very long, because anyone who complains about the rule will be disemboweled by bears. Again, not my idea--I am just the messenger here!--but that's the way it is. I don't know why you're worried, though. just buy the ten books a year, and don't whine about it, and you won't be struck by anything or have your insides ripped out by a grizzly. Doesn't seem so complicated, really. Also, make sure you buy the right kinds of books, or else someone in a cardigan will push you off a building. Again, nothing to worry about: just buy the best kinds of books, not the bad ones, or else you'll be looking over your shoulder pretty much forever. And you can't read that way, anyway, so it all works out.

-DE