Eclipses
- Richard Zboray
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
/ Flash /
The eclipse of the sun started on April 8th in Burlington, Vermont at 2:14, went total when confused dogs barked in the total darkness from 3:26 to 3:29, and ended when the surprising burst of resurrection brightness set birds to sing again, and I decided to live.
The eclipse of recognition started when my brother was born before me, went total when he graduated first in his class, and ended when Gwen smiled.
The eclipse of ears started when aunt Rosie turned 74, went total in her 83th year, and ended when she heard long-dead friends and relatives in heaven.
The eclipse of kissing started when Gwen stepped back, went total just before my first swish and spit of Listerine, and ended with practiced flossing.
The eclipse of the heart started when Bonnie Tyler sang “Turn around,” went total when Gwen walked away, and ended when Jenna said she’d go out.
The eclipse of engagement enchantment started when I bought a ring, went total when we picked out the reception venue, and ended when Jenna’s dad lifted her veil and I took her hand in mine.
The eclipse of responsibility started in the family room when Jenna gave me the Mona Lisa smile, went total in bed at “Oh, my God!” and ended when I remembered I needed to take out the kitchen garbage.
The eclipse of Jenna’s anger started when I apologized, went total when we hugged, and ended when I said, “You’re not doing that right.”
The eclipse of our plans to travel the world started when Jenna said she was pregnant, went total when Alexia was born, and ended when we renewed our passports and got one more.
The eclipse of dignity started when I looked in tiny Alexia’s blue eyes and whispered, “Oh wabado-ba-daba, oh, yes, wabado-ba-daba,” went total when she squirted my face as I changed her diaper, and ended when I supported her head near the font for her baptism.
The eclipse of despair started when the pediatric oncologist said, “The scans look good,” went total at “Your daughter’s in remission,” and ended with “The cancer’s back.”
The eclipse of happiness started when Alexia asked Fredda Bear to tell her he’d always be with her, went total when I put the stuffie in her coffin, and just stayed black without rhythm, day after day.
The eclipse of compassion started when the hurt, the hurt was too much, went total when I lost words, and ended
The eclipse of feelings started in the darkness, went total when Jenna left, and ended when I was nasty to everyone.
The eclipse of loneliness started when the woman upstairs asked me out, went total just before sex, and ended when I realized I couldn’t do that again.
The eclipse of faith started way back when I told Jenna for God’s sake, stop talking about dead relatives playing with Alexia, went total from August 2017 to April 8th, and ended in Burlington when, with birds frightened into silence by the darkness, I cloistered in an oak, on a lofty branch, ready to jump.
