first steps of spring

i took out some garbage this evening
before bed it was cold & clear
the fingernail shaped moon
lay on its back
stars twinkled &
the light of an airplane
blinked

i tried to find the dipper
or maybe even orion's belt
but i have to be twelve
& wearing a boyscout
kerchief to remember where
those are located

i looked up to the sky
& found myself talking
out loud to my father

telling him i missed him
& wondering if he saw
the pretty sky

& it was
the moon shone
& the stars twinkled
& the airplane's light blinked