afraid of the shadow

the young sikh recites a prayer
and when he finishes
every man has tears
and says nothing
and waits.

the day of the solar eclipse
work is called off.
some stay inside
watching television
afraid of the shadow
others curiously outside
to see what will come
a pregnant girlfriend
an abortion foretold by the pundit
an unborn child
reflection of the large red dot
in heaven.
the foreman is shaking.
saw a snake
but there are no cobras
in british columbia.
shakes his head.
a big snake
and this is much bigger
than being caught
in the daylight.
this is law.