I woke up to a gray sky
throwing cold, diffused light through my window.
Everything coated in
a thick, sticky dullness
the flaming chariot
too tired to burn
dropping a blanket instead
to smother glowing neon signs
and even the Venetian red bricks across the street.
I’ve never seen the world so muted
all faded and ashen,
waiting patiently for white-hot rays
to paint the world again.