The Milky Way

I saw
the Milky Way
last night.

It had been
eight months since
last I’d seen it,

living as I do
in the ambient glow
of a big city,

and living
as I do
inside.

But last night,
rocking on the smooth
lap of the sea,

I took three steps
from boat’s cabin
to cockpit

and stepped
into
the universe.

The Milky Way,
stretched like a spangled net,
snagged me by

my outstretched heart
and tossed me
into the square ladle

of the Big Dipper,
where I lay free floating
and gasping.

And then a silver thread,
cast down from above --
The North Star,

Leading me 

home and into the heart
of all things.