SPOTLIGHT ON EAST BAY

A glare off the bay
beats and oppresses for days
then the fog brews
and subdues the garish light:
filters,
mellows,
cools,
hangs like garland atop dark points
of trees between houses
on the Berkeley Hills.

As the sun readies to set
it decides to forgive
us and shine
the most golden flickering
light, cueing long shadows
and a soundtrack for us
to bounce to
as we walk home.

~j.b. rowell