AIMED by Susan Isla Tepper

A boy lit a match and stars

rained down over

the blacked-out city

east to west  

Ships in a trembling desert 

come to 

an impossible rescue—

Excitement sprouted water

out of his eyes—

thinking the angels must

have come back

to make a last stand &

This great oasis of sky and stars 

will swell in huge blazes: 

bringing warmth to those

freezing in rot and hunger.

When this does not happen the boy

decides the angels 

must be weary too—

wringing their hands

having had their say—

fears of getting caught up

in the endless rubble and despair.

Again the boy calls out his plea

aimed to the skies.

His words coming back

in his face as a shallow hum.

Susan Isla Tepper is a twenty years published writer in all genres. Her current project is an Off-Broadway Play on the subject of art and life.