The Stars of Del Mar

by Robert Halleck

I was sitting in the park
at the end of 15th Street
holding my mail and
looking at the stars. He sat
beside me.  I told him about
this star, that star, and
did you see, did you know
how far and how you
could not get lost.
That's North and yes
that's the Big Dipper and
yes the moon is full
and here is why.

He thanked me
and got up.

Crossing the tracks
to the other park,
he lay in the grass
and looked up enjoying
the silence, my ignorance,
the stars for what they are.