Just the Sky

By Elton Wildermuth, 2000

Looking out at the morning
as the dark dissolves into gray,
thinking, nothing is hidden
when the mist is blown away.

Looking out at the morning
as the sun comes up on the day,
thinking thoughts of religion,
all the things the prophets say.

It ain't nothing but a bright light;
it ain't nothing, you're quite right,
not a recapitulation
of a moment of creation
living where imagination takes flight,
and we are here to testify
that the sky is just the sky.

Looking up in the evening
as the moon is starting to set,
thinking, waxing and waning
is the promise that we get.

That ain't nothing to incite fright,
just a prehistoric night light,
not a recapitulation
of a moment of creation
living where imagination takes flight,
and we are here to testify
that the sky is just the sky.

And god is never quite where you are looking,
and god is not inclined to interfere,
and god is not the answer you're expecting,
and god is never anywhere but here.

Looking into the maelstrom
at the center of the abyss,
thinking Nietzche knows nothing
in the last analysis.

We ain't nothing like a bright light;
we ain't nothing, you're quite right,
not a recapitulation
of a moment of creation
living where imagination takes flight,
and we will surely testify
that the sky is just the sky.