Flat-Earth Moment
By William Doreski
• • •
On the edge of flat earth we stare
into an ocean of stars.
Some died eons ago, their light
still flexing through a distance
we can’t even begin to parse.
What if we leapt into space?
Would gravity reclaim our sad
sack bodies by pasting us
to the underside of this disc?
We draw back, coupled in fear.
A fine yellow rain surfs over us.
Walking back to our little house
we agree to conceal this moment
from our friends, who probably
have their own flat-earth moments
they’ve wisely never divulged.
• • •
William Doreski lives in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He has taught at several colleges and universities. His most recent book of poetry is Venus, Jupiter (2023). His essays, poetry, fiction, and reviews have appeared in various journals. @williamdoreski
