As the dogs trot down the sidewalk,

shaking off a sleepy afternoon,

my eyes scan the inky blue night.

Stars wink in varying brightness.

As a child,

I was told the more amber-colored glowing lights

were planets far, far away.

Stars, on the other hand, pinpoints,

glistening dots shining through tiny holes

in the black construction paper night sky.

Scattered amongst the star and planets

are lights growing larger and larger

as planes line up to descend from the night

to the safety of an airport runway.

The Nation’s Capital

does not close down when the city lights dim.

At last, the dogs glance up,

ready to head home.

I wonder if they ponder the stars as I do.