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.