One fine day you may walk out
and find yourself in the center
of a cozy dome of blue.
Generous helpings of whipped cloud
reach from overhead to the horizon
on every side. Now you understand why
the ancients thought the earth was flat.

The world has suddenly shrunk
to a more accessable, less daunting size.
Surely you can touch the sky
no ladder required. Walk a short distance
in any direction, poke a finger
into a white confection, lick it off
and smack your lips.

You’ll long to linger
in this sweet dome,
but that is not to be. Even as you stand
in wonder, staring all about,
the walls move out
clouds recede, grow thin
and melt into the fading blue.

—Elaine Parker Akin